Russian Missile Scientist Sentenced to 14 Years

Image copyright: Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • A Russian court Tuesday sentenced physicist Anatoly Maslov to 14 years in prison after finding him guilty of sharing secret information related to Russia's hypersonic missile program with Germany.

  • Two of Maslov's colleagues, Alexander Shiplyuk and Valery Zvegintsev, have also been charged with treason. Meanwhile, Maslov denies the charge.


The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Imprisoning these scientists on trumped-up charges is unacceptable. Clearly, Russia is paranoid and attempting to safeguard its technological advantage regardless of its violations of human rights. Russian scientists must be careful working with other countries while Putin remains in power.

Pro-Russia narrative

Russia is facing grave security risks in this time of war and it can't let its defenses down. If these scientists were found guilty of treason, they must be held accountable, and the security agencies must continue working to weed out traitors. Other nations should stay out of Russia's business.


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO