Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Yuri Borisov, the head of the space agency Roscosmos, after his 2.5-year tenure, appointing Dmitry Bakanov in his place. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “The company needs dynamic development, which is why these personnel changes are being made.”

Vladimir Putin has removed Yuri Borisov, the president of the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, after 2.5 years of service.

According to The Moscow Times, 39-year-old Dmitry Bakanov has been appointed in place of Borisov.

Bakanov, who most recently served as Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, led the state-supported Gonets satellite communication system from 2011 to 2019. The 68-year-old Borisov took over the presidency of Roscosmos from Dmitry Rogozin in July 2022.

UKRAINE CONFLICT IMPEDES SPACE MISSIONS

This change occurred five months after Russia got involved in a conflict with Ukraine.

The said conflict has led to Russia severing or reducing ties with many former space partners, making the country’s launch and exploration plans more challenging.

LUNA 25 MISSION ENDS IN FAILURE

Borisov’s short tenure was marked by turmoil and disappointments, notably the failure of Luna 25, Russia’s first lunar mission in modern history, in August 2023. (The previous Russian lunar mission was Luna 24 launched by the Soviet Union in 1976.) According to The Moscow Times, Roscosmos faced serious issues like “corruption scandals, loss of satellites and other spacecraft, and lack of innovation” under Borisov’s leadership. Nonetheless, Russian officials portrayed Borisov’s dismissal as a “planned rotation.” In a statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “The company needs dynamic development, which is why these personnel changes are being made.” Borisov had held positions in the state apparatus before heading Roscosmos.

Having served in the Soviet-Russian army for 20 years, Borisov later held roles in the Ministry of Defense and as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Defense and the Aerospace Industry.