Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the head of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, in a significant shake-up of the country’s struggling space program. Borisov, who assumed leadership in 2022, has been held responsible for a series of catastrophic failures, including setbacks in Russia’s satellite program, a sharp decline in rocket launches, and the embarrassing crash of the nation’s first Moon mission in 25 years.
A Space Program in Crisis
Borisov’s tenure at Roscosmos has been marked by an inability to meet the Kremlin’s urgent demands for a reliable military satellite fleet, leaving Russia increasingly reliant on U.S. resources for manned spaceflight. His leadership also saw the collapse of commercial space ventures and the stagnation of scientific missions, with no clear strategy for the future of Russian space exploration.
Adding to the turmoil, Borisov’s name has emerged in corruption investigations involving high-ranking Russian military officials. Prior to his Roscosmos appointment, he served as Deputy Defense Minister under Sergei Shoigu—who is now facing intense scrutiny as well.
One of Borisov’s most notorious failures has been the National Space Center project in Moscow, which has been plagued by severe delays, escalating costs, and financial mismanagement. According to Russian business outlet RBC, the project has become emblematic of the broader dysfunction within Roscosmos.
During a tense meeting at the Kremlin, Borisov was reportedly denied another high-ranking position and was warned of potential legal action. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed these claims, asserting that Borisov’s dismissal is merely part of a “routine rotation.”
New Leadership, New Direction?
Borisov’s successor, Dmitry Bakanov, is regarded as a rising figure in Russia’s space industry, with a strong background in low-orbit satellite technology. Formerly an executive at AFK Sistema and Gonets, he later played a key role in satellite services for Russia’s Ministry of Transport.
Bakanov’s appointment represents a shift in Moscow’s power dynamics, signaling a victory for Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Saveliev and a significant setback for Rostec, Russia’s dominant military-industrial conglomerate. Sources indicate that Bakanov will be closely monitored by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and influential Kremlin strategist Anton Vaino.
Meanwhile, Borisov’s problems may only be beginning. With Roscosmos in disarray, his tenure is now under scrutiny, and an investigation into potential criminal misconduct looms on the horizon.
As one insider put it: “Borisov was backed by Shoigu and Rostec. Now, their failures have cost them dearly.”
