Binance shared user data with Moscow despite Russian exit

The case involves 49-year-old Yuri Belenkiy, a Russian national and Bulgarian resident currently awaiting trial in a Russian jail. According to investigative documents, Binance provided Russian authorities with his transaction history, date of birth, phone number, and copies of both his passport and Bulgarian residency permit. These records were used by the Investigative Committee to build a criminal case alleging Belenkiy transferred over $700 to the Azov Brigade and other Ukrainian military-linked entities.

The exchange responded to the request through an email address previously publicized for Russian and Belarusian law enforcement inquiries. While Binance maintains that it cooperates with lawful global information requests, legal experts suggest the disclosure may conflict with European Union data protection regulations. Because Belenkiy holds Bulgarian residency, his data should theoretically fall under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which limits the transfer of personal information to jurisdictions deemed to lack adequate data safeguards.

Binance declined to comment on the specifics of the Belenkiy case. The company stated it does not determine the legality of charges or how governments utilize provided information, emphasizing that it remains subject to applicable regulatory requirements. The documents reviewed also indicate that Russian investigators requested the identities of other donors linked to the same cryptocurrency wallets, though it remains unclear if the exchange provided additional user information.