Russia has successfully conducted the first test launch of its new Soyuz‑5 rocket, with the launch vehicle lifting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan without incident, the country’ space agency reported.
According to a Telegram post made on Friday by Roscosmos, the Soyuz‑5 rocket launched late Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. Moscow time, powered by what the agency described as the world’s most powerful liquid‑fuelled engine.
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The Soyuz‑5 is capable of carrying payloads of up to 17 metric tons and is expected to significantly reduce launch costs while improving efficiency in placing satellites into low Earth orbit, Roscosmos said.
Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov hailed the launch as “a new step in space exploration,” adding that the project would create new jobs in Russia and Kazakhstan, The Independent reported.
The test launch comes as Russia faces mounting pressure from Western sanctions and seeks to maintain its space capabilities amid strained international cooperation.
Earlier this month, the EU adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, further tightening pressure on Moscow’s war economy. The latest measures target Russia’s military‑industrial complex and impose additional restrictions on third‑country suppliers such as Belarus and Kazakhstan, accused of helping Russia circumvent sanctions.
Following this, on Tuesday Russia announced that this year’s Victory Day military parade on Red Square will take place without tanks, missiles, or other heavy military equipment, marking the first such omission in nearly two decades.
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This comes amid talks held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump during a phone call on Wednesday, where Russia was prepared to consider a ceasefire with Ukraine during the Victory Day holiday.
Officials cited the “current operational situation” as the reason, amid continued Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of “terrorist activity” in reference to the attacks and said measures were being taken to minimize security risks. The parade will instead feature servicemen and a traditional military aircraft flyover, the Defense Ministry said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russia’s short-term ceasefire proposal as “manipulative” and a “theatrical performance.”
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