On May 6, 2014 at 17:49 MSK (13:49 UTC) the Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from launch pad No. 4 of the launch complex No. 43 of the Plesetsk launch site. The satellite that was successfully delivered to orbit was reportedly designated Cosmos-2495. It is believed to be an optical reconnaissance satellite of the Kobalt-M type.

The satellite received international designation 2014-025A and was registered by NORAD as object 39732. It was deployed on an orbit with perigee of 176 km, apogee 285 km and orbital period of 89.11 minutes. Inclination of the orbit is 81.41 degrees.

Previous launch of a satellite of the Kobalt-M type, Cosmos-2480, took place on May 17, 2012. The satellite completed its mission in September 2012.

There is some uncertainty about the Cosmos designation. It appears that the satellite would be designated Cosmos-2492 - following the March 2014 launch of a Glonass-M that was believed to be Cosmos-2491. However, in the official statement it was named Cosmos-2495. Furthermore, sources at Novosti Kosmonavtiki reported that the Glonass-M was designated Cosmos-2494 (even though it is listed as 2491 in the official Glonass bulletin). However, it's 2494 in another official Glonass bulletin.

UPDATE 05/25/14: It has been officially confirmed that the Glonass-M launched in March is indeed Cosmos-2494 and Kobalt-M is Cosmos-2495. Information submitted by Russia to the UN registry apparently shows that Cosmos-2491 is a satellite launched in the December 25, 2013 Rockot launch alongside with Strela/Rodnik satellites. Cosmos-2492 and Cosmos-2493 are objects 2013-078A/39490 and 2013-078B/39491, which are , SKRL-756 №1 and SKRL-756 №2 small passive satellites used to study air drag.

UPDATE 02/09/20: Apparently, after all the confusion with numbers, Glonass-M was designated Cosmos-2492, and two SKRL objects - Cosmos-2493 and 2494. These are the numbers in Jonathan McDowell's catalog.

UPDATE 09/05/2014: The satellite reportedly landed at around 18:18 UTC on September 2, 2014 after 119 days in space.

UPDATE 09/09/2014: It appears that the spacecraft reentered over the United States. This strongly suggests that the the satellite malfunctioned.

UPDATE 10/20/2014: Official Russian sources are quoted as saying that the return capsule landed at 22:28 MSK (18:28 UTC) on September 2, 2014. It appears that the satellite did complete its mission successfully, although something did happen at the very last stage of the flight - probably a fragment separated from the spacecraft.