Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of "very serious allegations" against the researchers. In an open letter at the beginning of the week, colleagues had stood up for the three and asserted their innocence.
All three are "upright patriots" and incapable of the alleged crimes, he said. The cases, the letter says, have a deterrent effect on young Russian scientists. The three scientists are specialists in hypersonic technology. President Vladimir Putin brags that Russia is a world leader in the field. On Tuesday, Ukraine reported the launch of six allegedly unstoppable Kinschal hypersonics.