The Russian Defense Ministry said the country’s Space Forces operate an integrated system for preparing launches and controlling domestic spacecraft. The same network also provides orbital and radar monitoring of areas from which missile threats could emerge.

According to the ministry, the system supports the launch and control of Russian spacecraft for various purposes, monitors missile-threat directions through orbital and radar assets, and provides global surveillance of the space environment.

The Space Forces are part of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Their missions are carried out by the 15th Special Purpose Aerospace Forces Army, which includes the German Titov Main Test Space Center, the Main Missile Attack Warning Center, the Main Space Situational Awareness Center, and military units at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

Officer training for the Space Forces is handled by the A. F. Mozhaysky Military Space Academy.

Among the core responsibilities of the Space Forces are maintaining constant readiness of missile warning and space surveillance systems, launching and controlling spacecraft within Russia’s orbital constellation, and introducing new weapons and military equipment into service.

Another major priority is keeping to the launch schedule for military and dual-use spacecraft. The Space Forces are also tasked with supporting launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.