A man from Toronto has been arrested for allegedly violating Canadian sanctions against Russia. Anton Trofimov, 43, is accused of shipping drone parts to Russia, which could be used by the military. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested him and charged him with two counts of evading sanctions imposed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trofimov owns a company called Asia Pacific Links Ltd., which has been linked to supplying the Russian military. He is also charged with possessing the proceeds of crime. Court documents show that these violations occurred between July and December 2022. One charge specifically mentions a ban on selling materials that could help manufacture weapons.
This case is significant as it marks Canada’s first prosecution related to sanctions violations against Russia. The RCMP had planned to hold a press conference to discuss the arrest but canceled it without explanation. Trofimov appeared in court last week and was released on a $5,000 cash deposit.
Jessica Davis, an expert on sanctions and former government analyst, noted that prosecutions for such violations are rare in Canada. She explained that while Canada has been proactive in sanctioning individuals and entities, actual enforcement and detection of these violations have been challenging.
Trofimov is a Russian national who also has homes in Hong Kong. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in May 2023, along with his company, for allegedly helping Russia’s military. His company is said to be part of a network procuring technology for Russian drones, specifically the Orlan-10, which has been used extensively in the conflict in Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury claims that Trofimov’s businesses were responsible for supplying about $5 million worth of microelectronics to a Russian company known to support military operations. This company, SMT-iLogic, is linked to the production of the Orlan-10 drone.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has called for action against Trofimov, highlighting the serious implications of a Canadian resident allegedly aiding in the supply of technology used against Ukraine. The situation underscores the complexities of enforcing sanctions and the ongoing struggle to prevent military support to Russia amidst the ongoing war.