Alexander Shiplyuk, a prominent Russian physicist and head of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in Siberia, has been sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security prison for state treason. The Moscow court’s verdict comes after a closed-door trial where Shiplyuk was accused of passing sensitive information related to Russia’s hypersonic missile technology to foreign powers. The 57-year-old scientist denied the charges, maintaining that the materials he allegedly shared were publicly available.
Shiplyuk’s conviction is part of a broader crackdown on Russian scientists involved in military research, particularly in the field of hypersonic weapons. His arrest follows that of two colleagues, Anatoly Maslov and Alexander Kuranov, both charged with similar offenses. Maslov, who worked alongside Shiplyuk, received a 14-year prison sentence earlier this year, while Kuranov was sentenced to seven years. The charges against these scientists center on allegations of sharing classified information with foreign entities, accusations which some have contested as being overblown or politically motivated.
The wave of treason charges against Russian scientists has intensified since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated further following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia’s security services have targeted a growing number of researchers, particularly those linked to the defense sector, with accusations of espionage. Many of these cases involve little public disclosure due to the secretive nature of the trials.Â
The arrests have raised concerns within Russia’s scientific community, as the government tightens control over sensitive research fields. The heightened scrutiny of scientists working on military-related technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, reflects an increasing level of distrust within Russia’s political and security elite. Analysts suggest this trend could stifle innovation and international collaboration in fields crucial to Russia’s defense ambitions, with the severe penalties leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s research institutions.
Despite his conviction, Shiplyuk’s defense continues to insist that the information in question was available through open sources, not classified documents. His sentence is seen as part of a broader effort by Russian authorities to safeguard sensitive technology as international tensions remain high.
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