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On February 5, 2026, the Soyuz 2.1b rocket launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia, reportedly carrying a military satellite for the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Ministry of Defense confirmed one satellite, Kosmos 2600, while US Space Force identified nine objects in orbit, indicating possible deployments of additional satellites from a primary platform.

This launch is Russia's first of 2026 and highlights the country's struggling space program, which previously conducted numerous commercial flights until 2022. Three more launches are scheduled for the first quarter, including the Soyuz 5 test flight and the final Proton-M mission.