Roscosmos Shakeup: A Change at the Top
Big changes have just hit Russia’s space industry.
On February 6, 2025, President Vladimir Putin made a surprising move by firing Yury Borisov from his position as the Director General of Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.
In his place, Dmitry Bakanov has been appointed as the new leader of the organization.
Bakanov is no stranger to Roscosmos, having previously headed one of its subsidiaries, the Gonets satellite communications system.
The shift in leadership comes amid growing concerns over the progress of the National Space Center project in Moscow.
This project, a key initiative, is being built on the grounds of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
A Sudden Decision
The decision to fire Borisov came as a surprise to many.
Sources familiar with the situation say that most of Roscosmos’ employees didn’t find out about the change until the morning after the decree was signed.
It all happened rather quickly—overnight, in fact.
So, what triggered this unexpected leadership change? According to insiders, a lot of the concern is related to the National Space Center project.
There have been rising costs associated with the construction, which could impact land allocation and future operational expenses.
Who is Dmitry Bakanov?
Dmitry Bakanov, the new head of Roscosmos, is a 39-year-old economist with a Ph.D. in the field.
He earned his degree from Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. Before stepping into this new role, Bakanov had a long career in the space sector, particularly with Gonets Satellite System.
From 2011 to 2019, he served as president and then CEO of the company, which operates satellite communications, broadcasting, and relay systems.
This experience has positioned him well for his new role at Roscosmos.
In 2019, Bakanov shifted to the Ministry of Transport, where he worked on digital transformation efforts, eventually rising to become Deputy Minister of Transport in 2022.
Yury Borisov’s Background
Yury Borisov, the former head of Roscosmos, had been in the position since the summer of 2022, succeeding Dmitry Rogozin.
Before leading the space agency, Borisov served as Deputy Prime Minister for over four years, overseeing the defense industry and Roscosmos.
He also had a significant role as Deputy Minister of Defense for nearly six years.
During his time at Roscosmos, Borisov was focused on ambitious space projects.
In December 2024, he revealed plans for a new national space initiative that was nearly ready to be presented to the president.
This project would have involved large satellite constellations for a variety of uses, including communications, Earth observation, and both low and high-orbit satellites.
The estimated cost of this initiative ranged from 500 billion to 750 billion rubles and would have been funded through both state and private investments.
A Brief History of Roscosmos
Roscos
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