Because, of course, that version of the conspiracy theory is “less stupid”.
Even the Soviets didn’t dispute that astronauts landed on the Moon.
But who knows, maybe Russian space scientists are part of the Fake Moon Landing plot.
Only the amateur army of Van Allen Belt Truthers know the actual story. We are indebted to their heroic work in showing us that anyone who enters the Belt is instantly fried.
A wonderful book that discusses why the Russian reacted the way the did is this one:
https://www.amazon.com/One-Small-Step-Great-Dominate/dp/1905570120