Military "Z"-rocket is launched from Russia's northern space center Plesetsk

The launch of the carrier rocket Soyuz-2.1.a was made from Plesetsk in the morning of the 23rd of March. It carried a military “space mechanism”, the Russian Armed forces inform.

According to the space center, the satellite successfully entered orbit and its connection with ground control is established.

On the rocket was painted a large “Z,” the symbol of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.

The launch comes after Russia lost the rocket sent off from Plesetsk in April last year. Back then, the space craft got out of orbit and subsequently went up in flames as it entered the atmosphere.  Over major parts of the north Russian sky could be seen the peculiar light patters of the craft as it made its way into space.

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In October 2022, the cosmodrome successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1b with a satellite for the Glonass-K system.

The Plesetsk Cosmodrome is located in Mirny, Arkhangelsk Oblast, about 800 km north of Moscow. The cosmodrome has over several years become an increasingly important object for the Russian military space forces. In November 2021, Russia lanched an anti-satellite missile Nudol from site.

It is believed that the Nudol will become part of Russia’s  weapons program aimed to destroy enemy military satellites in case of conflict.