Russia missile undercover agent probe: Scientist held

Avangard image, 19 Jul 18 Image copyright Getty Photographs Symbol caption An Avangard hypersonic warhead, shown in a Russian army pc simulation

Russian investigators have arrested an award-profitable 74-12 months-vintage area scientist, who is suspected of passing missile secrets to a Nato country.

Viktor Kudryavtsev is in custody in Moscow, the state house company Roskosmos confirmed.

On Friday safety agents raided a Roskosmos analysis facility referred to as TsNIIMash in Korolyov, close to Moscow.

The alleged spying issues hypersonic missiles, which fly at greater than 5 occasions the rate of sound (Mach 5).

On Friday Russia’s Kommersant daily suggested that approximately 10 group of workers at TsNIIMash have been under suspicion. A director’s workplace was a few of the spaces searched there.

Image copyright AFP Symbol caption The suspected undercover agent is being held at Lefortovo jail in Moscow (document pic)

Suspects could be charged with high treason, which incorporates a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

The Federal Security Carrier (FSB) also searched offices at the United Rocket and House Supplier (ORKK) in Moscow.

On Thursday the Russia defence ministry launched video of two new hypersonic missile programs – known as Kinzhal and Avangard. Each can ship nuclear warheads.

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Media captionRussia released army footage – together with its new extremely-fast missiles

Mr Kudryavtsev is knowledgeable on the dynamics of gases and liquids and gained a state award for his analysis.

In 2016 he and a group of scientists signed a letter in fortify of a fellow TsNIIMash researcher and spacecraft clothier, Vladimir Lapygin, who was convicted of treason.

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