MOSCOW, February 15, 12:04 /ITAR-TASS/. The TurkSat-4A Turkish satellite launched from Baikonur on Saturday with the use of a Proton-M rocket is put into orbit, a Roscosmos source told Itar-Tass.

The satellite safely separated from the Briz-M upper stage at the planned time, he source said.

It was the first commercial launch by Russia this year.

TurkSat-4A belongs to the Turkish satellite communication operator Turksat AS. The 3,800-kg satellite made by the Japanese Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) Corporation will be used to provide TV broadcasting services for Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.