Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the Moon after spinning into an uncontrolled orbit, officials say.
The unmanned craft was due to make a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole, but failed after encountering issues as it moved into its pre-landing orbit.
It was Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years.
The spacecraft was scheduled to land on Monday to explore a part of the Moon which scientists think could hold frozen water and precious elements.
Roskosmos, Russia’s state space corporation, said it lost contact with the Luna-25 shortly after running into difficulties.
*Kyiv
This transliteration is so freaking weird. Letter Ы should be agreed to English Latin alphabet.
There’s no bI in Ukrainian.
There is Ы sound. Which is how Kyiv should be pronounced.
Ukrainian И produces near-front near-close unrounded vowel.
Russian ЬІ produces close central unfounded vowel.
Do not pronounce Kyiv with the latter. The articulation is just not as comfortable as the native one.
Russian to Ukrainian mapping: ы - и и - i й - ï