Russia’s Aerospace Forces have successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1b medium-lift carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Space Centre in the Arkhangelsk Region, placing a payload of military satellites into their designated orbit on Friday, 17 April 2026, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed.
The launch was conducted by an Aerospace Forces space crew and proceeded entirely as planned, according to an official ministry statement. Following lift-off, the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle was continuously monitored by ground measurement systems stationed at the Plesetsk cosmodrome, Russia’s primary military space launch facility.
“At the designated time, the spacecraft were placed into their target orbit and taken over for control by ground assets of the Aerospace Forces’ space troops,” the Defence Ministry stated. Stable telemetry communication has since been established with all onboard systems, which are reported to be functioning normally.
The satellites were launched in the interests of the Russian Defence Ministry, though the precise nature and operational purpose of the spacecraft have not been publicly disclosed, in keeping with standard protocol for military space missions. Control of the satellites has been formally handed over to the Aerospace Forces’ dedicated space troops command.
The successful mission underscores Russia’s sustained capacity to independently develop, launch, and operate military space assets, reinforcing its strategic autonomy in the increasingly contested domain of orbital infrastructure. The Plesetsk cosmodrome, located approximately 800 kilometres north of Moscow, remains the backbone of Russia’s military launch programme and one of the most active spaceports in the world by number of annual launches.
Find more details at Sputnik International.