Russia launches carrier rocket in 'interests of Defense Ministry'

Russia's Space Forces on Friday successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket, the Defense Ministry said.

The medium-class rocket lifted off at 9.28 am local time (0630GMT) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, the ministry said.

Few details were provided, though the ministry added the rocket was carrying a spacecraft "in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry."

A similar launch of military satellites was carried out using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the same location on Feb. 5.

In December, a Soyuz rocket launched three Iranian communications satellites into orbit, Iranian state television reported.

The Soyuz family of rockets is a long-running series of Russian launch vehicles widely used for both civilian and military missions, including satellite deployment and crewed spaceflight.