russian space agency faces trials: a new blow amid financial crisis and corruption scandals

Oleg Frolov, deputy director of the russian space agency roscosmos, has been remanded in custody in a fraud case worth more than 4.3 million euros, AFP reports. He and two others are accused of large-scale fraud, with damage estimated at 435 million rubles, according to the russian Investigative Committee.

The committee alleges that Frolov used his official position to participate in a criminal conspiracy involving the theft of budget funds under an equipment purchase contract, reports Digi24. He will remain in pre-trial detention pending trial.

The blow comes amid financial problems and corruption scandals plaguing russia's space sector. With years of funding problems, corruption and notorious failures, the recent loss of the Luna-25 lunar probe in August has added pressure on the space agency.

However, moscow's ambition for space exploration remains undimmed, with plans to build a new space station to replace the outdated International Space Station (ISS) segment and resume lunar missions.