On December 25, 2014 at 03:01 UTC the “Soyuz-2.1b” rocket-carrier was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Arkhangelsk region, North Russia. The launch was performed by Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. The rocket orbited the “Lotos-S” reconnaissance satellite. Although Russian authorities identified the payload as a communications satellite, but independent observers believe it is the second platform in a new series of spacecraft designed to eavesdrop on radio transmissions.