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State commission clears Soyuz rocket for mission to bring Russian cosmonauts back

The launch of the launch vehicle is scheduled for 03:24 Moscow time

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. A state commission has ruled that the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket, which is to take the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft to the orbit, is fit for the launch, and authorized its refueling, Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday.

The spacecraft will return to the earth Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio.

"At the Baikonur Cosmodrome today, a state commission permitted refueling of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket carrying the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft, and authorized its launch from Pad 31 at 03:24:29 a.m. Moscow time," the Russian space agency said in a statement.

Approximately nine minutes after the launch, the spacecraft will separate from the upper stage of the rocket. Its docking with the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for 04:01 Moscow time on February 26. It will be an uncrewed flight.

On December 15, 2022, the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft docked to the orbital outpost experienced a coolant leak on its external radiator. After analyzing the situation, Russia’s state commission made a decision to bring the damaged Soyuz spacecraft back to Earth in crewless mode and return Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, whose mission has been extended for several months, aboard the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft. Initially, it was planned to send Soyuz MS-23 to space in mid-March, to take the next ISS mission to the orbital outpost.

Russian space industry specialists have carried out special investigations to find out that the Soyuz MS-22 was damaged by a sporadic micrometeoroid.

Scientists raise concerns over Fukushima radiation spreading to Kuril waters

The report details the accident that occurred at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant in 2011 due to an earthquake and tsunami, which led to the release of radioactive contamination

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Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

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Top Swiss diplomat reiterates need for Russia’s involvement in resolving Ukraine issue

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Post-Soviet security bloc holds arms control consultations in Moscow

The participants in the consultations "stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to prevent further erosion of the relevant international legal framework"

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

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Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

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North Korea’s economic delegation leaves for Iran — agency

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Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

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US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

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Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

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Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

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Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

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Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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"Airbus is aware of the Canadian government imposing sanctions on VSMPO and has obtained the necessary authorization to secure Airbus operations in compliance with the applicable sanctions," the company said

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Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

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