Russia on Friday launched a military satellite...

Spokesman Alexei Zolotukhin said a Soyuz-U carrier rocket with the satellite lifted off at 7:00 p.m. Moscow time (15:00 GMT) from the Plesetsk space center in northwest Russia.

He added that it was the first military satellite launch so far this year.

Russia reportedly operates a constellation of 60-70 military satellites with reconnaissance, missile early warning and other capabilities.

Military officials earlier said Russia would be using new-generation Angara-class carrier rockets for launches from Plesetsk to reduce Moscow"s dependence on Baikonur, the main launch facility rented in Kazakhstan, for the current generation of Russian rockets.

MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti)