Russian hypersonic missile scientist arrested, charged with treason

A prominent Russian scientist involved with the development of "hypersonic rocket systems" has been arrested and charged on suspicion of treason.

Alexander Shiplyuk was detained in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk and has been taken to Moscow's Lefortovo pre-trial detention center, Newsweek reports citing TASS.

The scientist worked at the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences as director of its Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

According to the institute's website, the "general target" of some of Shiplyuk's work was "the creation of promising hypersonic rocket systems".

In this capacity, he reportedly worked on developing hypersonic aircraft and rockets, a key weapon in Vladimir Putin's arsenal.

After Shiplyuk's arrest, the Khristianovich Institute was searched, according to Vasily Fomin, who worked there as scientific director.

Speaking to TASS he said: "There were operational events at the institute. They are connected with our director Alexander Nikolaevich Shiplyuk. He was arrested."