FBI sanctions listing
ILYA VIKTOROVICH BALAKAEV
ILYA VIKTOROVICH BALAKAEV is an individual designated on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted (FBI) sanctions list under the Counterintelligence programme, listed on 2023-06-08. Counterintelligence. This page summarises the public designation — known aliases, Russian nationality, identifying particulars, the stated reason for listing and linked parties — alongside an independent, transparent risk indicator.
Reason for listing
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA); Conspiracy to Violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA); Smuggling Goods from the United States Between 2017 and the present, Ilya Viktorovich Balakaev allegedly entered into multiple contracts through his company, Radiotester LLC, with the FSB—the principal intelligence and security agency of the Russian government—to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators. These devices were frequently used as part of alleged counterintelligence operations to sweep for surveillance bugs and transmit covert communications. As the devices were not readily available in Russia, Balakaev allegedly created a network of individuals in the United States to assist him in purchasing the equipment which he then used to repair the FSB devices, in violation of United States sanctions. Balakaev allegedly worked closely with Russian government officials from FSB Center 8’s Military Unit 43753, the agency responsible for Russia’s communication security and cryptology. In furtherance of his scheme, he allegedly entered into at least 10 contracts with FSB Military Unit 43753, purchased approximately 43 devices in the United States, and traveled to the United States approximately 14 times in the span of approximately four years. In addition to his alleged scheme to evade Russian sanctions, Balakaev also allegedly provided American technology to a North Korean government official, in violation of United States sanctions against North Korea. Balakaev allegedly contracted with the First Secretary of the North Korean Embassy to the Russian Federation, based in Moscow, to obtain hazardous gas detectors and software from the United States for the benefit of the North Korean government. On February 21, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Balakaev in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, after he was charged with multiple
Statement of reasons as published by US FBI. This is the issuing authority's wording, reproduced for reference.
Designation record
| List / authority | US FBI (FBI) — FBI — Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Entity type | Person |
| Programmes / regime | Counterintelligence |
| Date listed | 2023-06-08 |
| Source record ID | fbi:35638a66dc2d4ce89f6a6735e3c2659f |
| Last updated (our copy) | 2026-06-04 |
Identity & particulars
| Position / role | Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 26, 1977 |
| Place of birth | Russia |
| Nationality / country | Russian |
| Gender | Male |
Known aliases (1)
Deep-research dossier
Not yet deep-researched
The instant review above is drawn from the public lists. A deep-research dossier goes much further — an analyst-grade OSINT report: associate & co-investment network screening, structural / ownership opacity, a dated risk trajectory, an 8-factor scoring model, and numbered, source-linked evidence. See the format in the design system.
Clarifications & right of reply
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Source & provenance
| Issuing authority | U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted |
|---|---|
| Source identifier | fbi:35638a66dc2d4ce89f6a6735e3c2659f |
| Aggregated by | Sanctiometer (independent) — verify against the issuing authority's official list before acting. |