On January 28, 2010 at 00:18 UTC the Russian "Raduga”-series satellite was launched with a Proton-M rocket-carrier from the Baykonur Cosmodrome.
Commander of Russian Space Forces, Maj. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said the satellite "is a new project that will help significantly increase the capabilities of the space communication system."
Russia reportedly operates a constellation of 60-70 military satellites with reconnaissance, missile early warning and other capabilities.
