Communication With 4 Spacecraft From Military Space Group Lost

As a result of a fire at the command post of the space group department of the Russian defense ministry in the Kaluga region, permanent communication with four spacecraft has been lost, said Anatoly Perminov, commander of Russian space troops. In his words, "the spacecraft themselves are combat ready". Restoring permanent communication with them is "technically possible", said the general. In the near future, space troop command will try to restore communication from another control post, said Perminov speaking on-air in the Vesti RTR program. In his words, "the fire began at 2.30 a.m. No one of the staff of the station has suffered. All the requisite documents of the program, and arms and ammunition have been evacuated". At present, stressed Anatoly Perminov, "the whole control system of the spacecraft of the military group of the Russian Federation is functioning normally, including those designed for military purposes". (kul/lio)