Valery Zvegintsev (Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) and Vladislav Galkin (Tomsk Polytechnic University), hypersonic physicists, aged 81 and 72 respectively were recently sentenced to more than 12 years in a penal colony for activities that are essential for scientific progress. These sentences follow almost 3 years in detention since their original arrest.
May 13, 2026
His Excellency, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Ulitsa Ilyinka, 23
103132 Moscow,
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 9102134
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Dear President Putin:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues worldwide.
We are writing regarding Valery Zvegintsev (Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) and Vladislav Galkin (Tomsk Polytechnic University), hypersonic physicists, aged 81 and 72 respectively, who were recently sentenced to more than 12 years in a penal colony. These sentences follow after almost 3 years in detention since their original arrest.
The Committee is concerned that these sentences are part of a recurring pattern of targeting elderly Russian rocket scientists, who are in fact not spies, for innocuous activities such as collaborating with colleagues abroad, going to conferences, and publishing the activities that were approved at the time by the appropriate authorities. Conducted within established regulations, such activities are essential for scientific progress. Imprisoning prominent elderly scientists instead of allowing them to enjoy their senior years and peaceful retirement is unbecoming of a country which is proud of the achievements of its science and technology. Ironically, these arrests may worsen Russia’s standing in technology by intimidating the younger generation of scientists and turning them off from the applied research fields.
We write to urge your government to consider the advanced age and poor health of Galkin and Zvegintsev, and the fact that they did not attempt to flee Russia after the arrests of their colleagues. They should not be penalized for not incriminating their colleagues. Their trials and the evidence presented against them should be made public and not considered a matter of state secrecy. This is effectively a death sentence for them. They should be released promptly.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Marco Rubio
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Ambassador Anatoly Antonov,
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