A SOYUZ 2-1B successfully launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia carrying the LOTOS-S1 No 8, an ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) military satellite, part of the Liana programme, to LEO on 27 October at 0600 GMT (time to be confirmed). The extra-large spacecraft, with a mass of around 6,000kg, has an operational expected life of around 10 years and is thought to be carrying a sub-satellite. LOTOS-S1 No 8 is expected to be designated as COSMOS 2570 (KOSMOS 2570) shortly.
Soon after launch the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the delivery of more than one spacecraft into orbit.