May 18, 2026

Suspicious Sentences of Supersonic Scientists


Suspicious Sentences of Supersonic Scientists
Not a great place for your golden years. The Russian Life files.

Siberian physicists Valery Zvegintsev (Novosibirsk) and Vladislav Galkin (Tomsk) were each sentenced to 12.5 years in a maximum-security prison. Given that the former is 82 and the latter is 71, the sentences could be considered “one-way tickets,” as independent outlet Novaya Gazeta wrote. Zvegintsev is disabled, and he was not even able to stand while his verdict was read. 

Why such a harsh punishment for people who did not inflict bodily harm and did not openly oppose the war or Putin’s regime? The verdict was handed down under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code: “High Treason.” But no one knows what this treason consists of. Their case was handled by the FSB, and thus the trial was closed to the public.

All that is known is that both men's area of scientific expertise is hypersonic technology. Rumors suggest that their case was initiated because they jointly authored an article on gas dynamics that was published in an Iranian scientific journal. The article described a method used in the development of the “Avangard” hypersonic complex and the “Kinzhal,” “Sarmat,” and “Zircon” missiles. Yet colleagues of the defendants said that, at the time of the article's publication, the information it contained was not classified; moreover, the FSB reviewed the text twice before the material was submitted for publication.

This is not the first case of its kind. In 2024, three scientists (also involved in hypersonic research) were prosecuted under similar circumstances. Alexander Sheplyuk was sentenced by the Moscow City Court to 15 years in a maximum-security prison on charges of treason. In St. Petersburg, Anatoly Maslov received a 14-year sentence after being accused of illegal collaboration with Germany and China. And Novosibirsk scientist Dmitry Kolker never even made it to trial, dying three days after his arrest. He had stage IV cancer.

Novaya Gazeta reported that there are a number of similar cases that have not received the same publicity, due to their secrecy. Yet, all the charges are based on the security services’ criminalization of international scientific cooperation: publications in foreign journals, trips to symposia, and giving lectures outside Russia.

One can only speculate whether all this is part of some larger scheme, or whether the FSB is simply looking to intimidate the scientific community. According to human rights activist Ivan Pavlov, the directive to closely guard developments in the field of aerodynamics came directly from the Russian president: “Putin once blurted out that Russia has promising developments in the field of hypersonics that need to be protected, and they took that as their cue,” Pavlov said. “FSB agents are opportunists. In reality, they aren’t protecting anything or anyone; they’re simply destroying scientists.”

 

You Might Also Like

Andrei Sakharov
  • May 01, 2021

Andrei Sakharov

Andrei Dmitriyevich Sakharov lived several completely different lives.
From Poisoning to Firewalls
  • April 24, 2026

From Poisoning to Firewalls

The same FSB unit tied to Navalny's poisoning is now leading Russia's push to restrict Telegram, WhatsApp, and VPNs, according to industry sources.
Research under Surveillance
  • December 08, 2025

Research under Surveillance

Starting next year, Russian scientists must request FSB approval before working with foreign colleagues.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955