Russia Says New Military Satellite Reaches Target Orbit After Soyuz Launch

Overview

• Russia’s Defense Ministry said the spacecraft entered its planned orbit and was handed to the Aerospace Forces’ Space Troops for control.
• The Soyuz-2.1a lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 9:28 a.m. Moscow time on Friday, the ministry said.
• After separation, the ministry reported a steady telemetry link and normal onboard systems.
• Analysts at RussianForces.org say the payload is a Meridian-M military communications satellite labeled 14F112 No. 21, a detail not in the official release.
• The Meridian-M line supports communications in high latitudes and at sea, and the previous satellite in the series launched in March 2022.