What's happened
Alexander Shiplyuk, a prominent Russian physicist, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for treason related to hypersonic missile technology. His conviction is part of a broader crackdown on scientists in Russia, raising concerns about the future of scientific collaboration and research in sensitive military fields.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Shiplyuk was accused of sharing classified information at a 2017 conference in China, a claim he denies, stating the information was publicly available. Al Jazeera reported that he was sentenced in a closed trial, reflecting the secretive nature of these proceedings. The Guardian highlighted the broader implications of these cases, suggesting they indicate a modern 'spymania' among Russian elites. The Moscow Times noted that Shiplyuk's case is part of a pattern of increasing treason accusations against scientists since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, emphasizing the government's tightening grip on dissent.
How we got here
The sentencing of Shiplyuk follows a series of treason cases against Russian scientists, particularly those involved in military technology. This trend has intensified since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reflecting a growing paranoia within the government regarding espionage and collaboration with foreign entities.
Common question
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More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Alexandr Nikolayevich Shiplyuk (Russian: Александр Николаевич Шиплюк) is a Russian scientist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a specialist in the field of gas
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Sergei Mikhailov, nickname Mikhas, is a Russian businessman and leader of the “Solntsevskaya Bratva” criminal syndicate.
Mikhailov was originally a waiter, but moved into the criminal world in 1987 after a conviction for fraud in 1984.
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Anatoly Alexandrovich Maslov (Russian: Анатолий Александрович Маслов; born on 7 August 1946) is a Russian physics and a professor at the Aerohydrodynamic Department at the Novosibirsk State Technical University, specialist in th
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Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The megacity stands on the Moskva River in the central portion of Western Russia, with a population estimated at 12.6 million residents within the city limits, while over 17 million residents in the urban