Russia's leading hypersonic missile expert arrested on treason charges.

 

Two MIG-31's carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles during Moscow's victory day parade. Newsweek/AFP/Getty.

Russia's leading hypersonic missile expert, Anatoly Gubanov, was arrested on charges of treason. Newsweek. Gubanov is accused of handing over aviation secrets to a foreign government and if convicted could serve up to 20 years. His focus was researching hydrogen powered hypersonic aircraft and had participated in foreign conferences. Hypersonic technology is critical for Russia as the technology allows them to bypass most missile defense system due to the extreme speeds and low altitudes the weapons can achieve. It is a major advantage that Russia has over the United States. 

My Comment:

This is a pretty huge deal for Russia. Hypersonic technology is Russia's major advantage that they have over both the United States and China. With one of their top scientists giving away their secrets that advantage is probably gone. 

The question is who did Gubanov give these secrets to? It's very possible that it was the United States. Our CIA is fairly good at turning people and there are always reasons for people to give up secrets. If it is true then it is an intelligence coup for the United States. Cutting Russia's advantage in hypersonic technology is a major priority and stealing their secrets is a good way to do so. 

But America isn't the only suspect. China is also very good at stealing secrets. Indeed, even without any other context I would say that China is a prime suspect. They have their own hypersonic program and they have a long history of stealing from Russia. They want to have their own advantage with hypersonic missiles. 

It's also possible that some other country is responsible for this as well. Europe has their own intelligence services and it wouldn't surprise me if the UK or Germany was the one that flipped Gubanov. Same thing with Israel, who would love to have hypersonic missiles to take out Iranian targets in any war between the two countries. 

I do have to say that it's possible that Gubanov didn't intend to betray his country. He may have had real friendships with people who he thought was his friends. If so then he should have been more careful, as an important scientist he should have known that he was a target for espionage. 

Finally, it goes to show how much Russia has reformed since the old Soviet days. Back in the day anyone found guilty of spying in a case like this would likely be executed. Instead Gubanov faces 20 years in prison, assuming he is convicted. He might have some issues in prison but that still a less harsh punishment than even the United States has. Here a treason conviction, which is admittedly very hard to get, can be punished with execution...