Politics
Russia’s GLONASS positioning system cannot work properly
Reading Time: 4 minutes Last month, Russia launched a Geo-IK-2 satellite – the first in a series of two, specifically designed to generate high-precision digital maps of the surface of the globe to allow the independent GPS (GLObal’naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema –GLONASS) system to provide positioning with an accuracy of up to one meter.
Continued technical mishaps are undermining Russia’s efforts to modernize its military and defense industry. The Russian defense industry is in deep crisis while efforts to import Western technology, spearheaded by First Deputy Defense Minister in charge of rearmament Army-General (retired) Vladimir Popovkin, are bringing mixed results. Popovkin, the chief of the Russian Space Troops from March 2004 until June 2008, was the first top Russian military official to disclose that Russia was using foreign components to make military satellites (Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, February 1, 2008). In 2008, Popovkin changed the official Russian defense procurement policy of not buying Western-made weapons or components.
Last month, Russia launched a Geo-IK-2 satellite – the first in a series of two, specifically designed to generate high-precision digital maps of the surface of the globe to allow the independent GPS (GLObal’’naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema –GLONASS) system to provide positioning with an accuracy of up to one meter. The Geo-IK-2 was a secret military platform made in the closed nuclear city of Krasnoyarsk-26 (Zheleznogorsk), but its core instrument was a SADKO-2 scanning radar, provided by the French company Thales Alenia Space – a privileged partner of the Russian defense ministry (RIA-Novosti, February 1).
The satellite was launched by a Rokot rocket converted from a SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missile that apparently did its job sufficiently well, but an additional Briz-KM booster, designed to elevate the Geo-IK-2 to an orbit of 1,000 kilometer (km) malfunctioned. Finally, the Geo-IK-2 was boosted to an abnormal 370 to 1,020 km elliptical orbit. The satellites solar batteries unfolded and contact was established, but it could not function properly (Interfax, February 2).
For some time it was unclear, as to whether the Geo-IK-2 is totally useless, or may only partially do its job. The Geo-IK-2 orbit was designed so its solar batteries are constantly in the sun, providing power to its radar and other equipment. The abnormal orbit put it intermittently in the Earth’s shade, disrupting the power supply (Interfax, February 3). Popovkin told journalists that the Geo-IK-2 is useless (Interfax, February, 20). This week Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the defense industry and former defense minister and KGB official, Sergei Ivanov, announced “there are no serious problems with the Geo-IK-2” (RIA Novosti, February 28). It turned out Popovkin was better informed: the defense ministry announced that Geo-IK-2 has fully lost power and turned into space junk after a week of malfunction (Interfax, March 1).
This week, Lieutenant-General (retired) Anatoly Bashlakov was handed a seven-year prison sentence for alleged bribery. Bashlakov commanded nuclear strategic missile units and was commandant of the Plesetsk missile and space launch center from 2003 to 2007. The trial was secret and no details are officially known, but that Bashlakov’s crime occurred while he was in charge of Plesetsk from where the Geo-IK-2 was later unsuccessfully launched. It has been alleged that the Bashlakov case is somehow connected to irregularities in dealing with radioactive materials (Kommersant, March 2).
The Geo-IK-2 failure comes on the heels of another GLONASS disaster – the loss of three new GLONASS-M satellites that plunged into the Pacific Ocean after a failed launch on December 5, 2010. The crash reportedly cost Russia some $75 million and delayed the full formation of the GLONASS positioning system that was planned by January 2011. The GLONASS-M crash provoked President Dmitry Medvedev’s anger: two high-ranking space officials were sacked and the chief of Russia’s space agency, Roskosmos, Anatoliy Perminov was reprimanded. After an investigation ordered by Medvedev of the execution of the GLONASS program by Roskosmos, the Prosecutor-General’s office recommended that criminal charges must be pressed (Kommersant, February 18).
This week during a meeting of the “collegium” of Roskosmos, Ivanov reprimanded the agency for multiple failures, pointing out that in 2010 it produced only five military satellites instead of the planned 11. Nonetheless, Ivanov expressed hope that by the end of 2011 GLONASS will be fully functional. Last week the first experimental GLONASS-K satellite was successfully launched and may become fully functional in two months. It is planned that before January 2012 five more GLONASS-M satellites will be launched and one more GLONASS-K. The GLONASS-M satellites have a lifespan of three to four years in orbit, while the new GLONASS-K, that apparently uses better-quality Western-made electronics must have, according to Ivanov, a 10 year lifespan (RIA Novosti, February 28).
The GLONASS-M crash may indeed be successfully compensated, but the loss of the Geo-IK-2 could be a more serious problem. The GLONASS satellites are mass produced while the Geo-IK-2 is not – only one is prepared, scheduled for launch by next December. Even if it is a total success, it apparently cannot fully compensate for the loss of the first Geo-IK-2. Precise global digital mapping has been seriously delayed.
The Russian military wants to develop and deploy an array of relatively cheap precision-guided weapons (bombs, cruise missiles, etc), as their US counterparts have done, but plans to use GLONASS-targeting instead of targeting devices based on the Pentagon-controlled GPS. Moscow has grand plans to sell its military GLONASS-targeting capabilities to other nations that do not have access to or do not fully rely on the Pentagon-controlled GPS. A less accurate GLONASS positioning signal could be distributed free, while a more precise “military” one could be coded and access sold by Russia.
Now all these planes are at risk. Without the Geo-IK-2 global digital maps, GLONASS, even fully operational, will have a positioning accuracy of ten meters at best – not the 1.5 meters that Ivanov was hoping for – no-good for military precision targeting (RIA Novosti, February 28). Russia has spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) and to acquire technology and components for joint UAV production, with Popovkin spearheading the effort (EDM, October 14, 2010). But at present these UAV’s are no more than expensive flying TV-cameras, the targeting information they produce is mostly useless, since there are no precise GLONASS (GPS)-targeted weapon systems to use it.
When the extent of military reform and defense modernization failure is contemplated by Russia’s supreme leaders, heads may roll and in anticipation plausible excuses are being prepared. A “reliable space industry source” told Interfax news agency that the Briz-KM booster failed during the Geo-IK-2 launch, “because of possible external electromagnetic interference from a sea, land or air-based source,” while the platform was on the other side of the globe out of sight of the Russian control center (Interfax, February 14). Of course, only the grand old enemy – the US – could have sabotaged the Geo-IK-2 launch by a presumed death-beam – to undermine Russia’s possible GLONASS (GPS) independence.
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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