MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The deputy minister noted that the military space branch is exposed to external factors, especially to sanctions imposed against Russia by the European Union, the United States and their allies.
"Although there is a certain risk, the program of launching can be completed this year with a high probability," Borisov said at the annual meeting with the defense industry's trade union's leaders.
Russia has repeatedly denied these allegations and has adopted import substitution plans for the defense sector.
In October 2014, Maj. Gen. Khalil Arslanov, chief of the Main Communications Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, said that Russia intended to add nine military communications satellites to the country's orbital group by 2020.
