Russian Aerospace Forces, part of the country's armed forces, launched a Soyuz rocket carrying a spacecraft for defence purposes, the state RIA news agency reported early on Monday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.
The Soyuz-2.1b launch lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region in Russia's north, RIA said, without elaborating.
"The Aerospace Forces successfully launched the Soyuz-2.1b medium-class launch vehicle with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Defence Ministry," RIA cited the ministry as saying.
The Russian Soyuz rocket is launched as needed for space missions, including carrying equipment and astronauts to the International Space Station. According to the European Space Agency, the Soyuz vehicles have had nearly 1,700 launches so far.
The Soyuz launches for scientific and exploratory purposes are usually announced by Russia's Roscosmos space agency.
The Plesetsk Cosmodrome is used for launching vehicles with military satellites. In October, the cosmodrome was used for test-firing the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile.
Six killed in Swiss bus blaze after person reportedly sets themselves on fire
US says it destroyed mine-laying vessels as Trump warns Iran over strait
Britain working with allies to support shipping through Strait of Hormuz
Wildlife to replace humans on next series of UK banknotes
