Russian Aerospace Defence Forces
The Russian Aerospace Defence Forces or Russian Air and Space Defence Forces (VVKO) (Russian: Войска воздушно-космической обороны (ВВКО), tr. Voyska vozdushno-kosmicheskoy oborony (VVKO)) was a branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation responsible for aerospace defence, and the operation of Russian military satellites and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was established on 1 December 2011 and replaced the Russian Space Forces.
| Russian Aerospace Defence Forces | |
|---|---|
| Войска воздушно-космической обороны Voyska vozdushno-kosmicheskoy oborony | |
Great emblem of the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces | |
| Active | 1 December 2011–1 August 2015 |
| Country | Russian Federation |
| Type | Space force |
| Anniversaries | 4 October (Space Forces Day) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Aleksandr Golovko |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
| Middle emblem | |
| Insignia | |
The Aerospace Defence Forces was first commanded by former Space Forces commander Colonel General Oleg Ostapenko, who was promoted to Deputy Minister of Defence in November 2012. In December 2012, Aleksandr Golovko was appointed the new commander. Although it is officially translated as aerospace in English, some Russian writers translate it as "air and space" instead.
On 1 August 2015, the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces were merged to form the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The Russian Aerospace Defence Forces duties for space defense are now with the Russian Space Forces under the umbrella of the new Russian Aerospace Forces. The RADF today only provides air defense responsibilities.