Putin Replaces Roscosmos Chief Amid Space Challenges

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Yuri Borisov as the head of Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, after a tenure marked by setbacks, including the crash of the Luna-25 mission in August 2023. Borisov, who assumed leadership in July 2022, was replaced by Dmitry Bakanov, a former deputy transport minister. The Kremlin characterized the change as a 'planned rotation,' citing the need for dynamic development within the space agency. Borisov's tenure also faced challenges such as reduced international collaboration due to the Ukraine invasion, corruption scandals, and a decline in the number of successful launches. Despite these issues, Borisov had outlined ambitious plans for Russia's space endeavors, including the development of an independent space station by 2027. The new leadership comes amid growing competition in space exploration and concerns over potential weaponization of space as international treaties near expiration.