On October 30, 2014 at 04:42:52 MSK (01:42:52 UTC) the Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a launcher from the launch pad No. 4 of the launch complex No. 43 of the Plesetsk space launch site. The launcher, equipped with a Fregat booster stage, delivered into orbit a new military communication satellite of the Meridian type.
The satellite's NORAD number is 40296, its international designation is 2014-069A. The satellite is known as Meridian 7. Previous Meridian launch took place in November 2012.
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Photos from Plesetsk:
http://мультимедиа.минобороны.рф/multimedia/photo/gallery.htm?id=18970@cmsPhotoGallery
It is interesting that at the beginning of October the Fregat booster for this Meridian was dropped from a platform car during transportation in Plesetsk:
http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2589865?isSearch=True
There is a good Russian saying - "У каждого прибора есть критическая высота, упав с которой он начинает работать" :-)
:-) Шутки шутками... but the risk was great: according to insurance data the Meridian satellite cost (together with the Soyuz-2.1a launcher) was 4,5 bln rubles:
http://itar-tass.com/politika/666373