Cosmonauts aboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station sent birthday congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state space agency Roscosmos announced on Wednesday.
Cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov, Anna Kikina, and Sergei Teteriatnikov offered their greetings to the head of state from orbit, wishing him success in fulfilling all of his planned goals. As part of their orbital celebration, the crew members pledged to eat a grapefruit aboard the station to toast the health of the Russian leader.
Pyotr Dubrov, who recently assumed command of the International Space Station, spoke from aboard the facility to extend his wishes. Dubrov said that Putin leads a country home to representatives of more than 200 different nationalities and possesses the ability to find common ground with each, describing that quality as one of the traits that make a national leader truly strong.
Space achievements and congratulations
Anna Kikina expressed gratitude to Putin for his support and highlighted the major achievements of Russia's domestic space sector. Sergei Teteriatnikov pointed to the opportunities that enable citizens like him and many others to pursue their dreams, including traveling beyond the planet into space.
Roscosmos is Russia's state space corporation, responsible for the nation's spaceflight programs, cosmonaut training, and scientific research. The agency oversees operations at major launch facilities, including the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia, while maintaining continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
The International Space Station is a microgravity research facility orbiting roughly 400 kilometers above Earth. It operates as a joint venture involving space agencies from Russia, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada, with the Russian segment providing vital propulsion, navigation, and living quarters for resident crews.
Anna Kikina is currently Russia's only active female cosmonaut, having previously completed mission training and spaceflights to the orbital complex. Pyotr Dubrov is an experienced cosmonaut with extensive orbital mission experience, while Sergei Teteriatnikov serves alongside them as a member of the current expedition crew.
The orbital greetings coincided with other birthday messages delivered to the president, following earlier congratulations sent from the front line of Russia's special military operation.
