Russia Launches Military Satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful launch of a military satellite from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Region on Friday, September 18, 2026. A combat crew from the space forces utilized a Soyuz-2.1b medium-class carrier rocket to deliver the spacecraft into its target orbit.

Following the launch, the satellite was handed over to ground control systems operated by the space forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The ministry confirmed that onboard systems are operating normally and a stable telemetry link has been established with the spacecraft.