Space & Satellites
Russian Cosmonaut Removed from SpaceX Crew-12 Over Security Breach
Oleg Artemyev was removed from SpaceX Crew-12 for alleged ITAR violations photographing sensitive SpaceX tech; replaced by Andrey Fedyaev.
This article summarizes reporting by The Insider and United24 Media.
In a significant development for international space cooperation, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been removed from the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). While official channels cite a routine career move, investigative reporting suggests the removal stems from a serious violation of U.S. export control laws involving unauthorized photography of sensitive Space-Agencies technology.
According to reporting by The Insider and United24 Media, the incident occurred at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, in late November 2025. The mission, targeting a launch in February 2026, will proceed with a replacement cosmonaut, Andrey Fedyaev, taking the empty seat. The abrupt change in personnel less than three months before Launch has raised questions regarding security protocols within the NASA-Roscosmos “seat-swap” program.
The core of the controversy involves the alleged mishandling of proprietary technology protected under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sources cited by The Insider claim that during a training session, Artemyev used a personal smartphone to photograph confidential internal documents and SpaceX rocket engines. These images were reportedly removed from the secure facility, constituting a potential “deemed export” violation under U.S. law.
ITAR regulations are notoriously strict regarding foreign nationals. Merely exposing technical data to a non-U.S. person can be considered an export; photographing and removing that data is a severe breach. Launch analyst Georgy Trishkin, referenced in the reports, noted that removing a crew member this close to a mission without a medical justification is highly irregular, pointing toward a significant infraction rather than a standard administrative change.
There is a distinct divergence between the explanation provided by the Russian state space corporation and the details emerging from investigative journalists.
Roscosmos has publicly downplayed the event, attributing the personnel change to a career transition. In a statement regarding Artemyev’s removal, the agency said:
“In connection with his transfer to another job.”
, Roscosmos official statement
As of this writing, neither NASA nor SpaceX has issued a detailed public comment confirming the specific allegations. This silence is consistent with standard operating procedures during active interagency investigations, particularly those involving sensitive ITAR compliance and international diplomatic partners.
Oleg Artemyev is a veteran cosmonaut with significant experience, having logged 560 days in orbit across three previous ISS missions. However, his tenure has not been without political controversy. He currently serves as a deputy in the Moscow City Duma representing the “United Russia” party.
In July 2022, Artemyev drew international condemnation from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) after he and fellow cosmonauts posed with anti-Ukraine propaganda flags aboard the ISS. This prior conduct, combined with the new allegations of security breaches at SpaceX, complicates the narrative of his sudden departure from the Crew-12 manifest.
To ensure the Crew-12 mission remains on schedule for early 2026, Roscosmos has appointed Andrey Fedyaev as the replacement. Fedyaev is considered a logical choice to minimize training delays; he previously flew on the SpaceX Crew-6 mission between March and September 2023. His familiarity with the Dragon spacecraft systems allows for a rapid integration into the crew, mitigating the operational impact of Artemyev’s removal.
The removal of a high-profile Russian cosmonaut from a U.S. commercial spacecraft highlights the fragility of the current “seat-swap” agreement. While the partnership was designed to ensure mixed crews on both Soyuz and Dragon vehicles for safety redundancy, incidents like this test the limits of technical cooperation amidst geopolitical tension.
From an operational standpoint, the breach raises serious questions about internal security enforcement at SpaceX. If the allegations are accurate, the ability of a foreign national to bring a recording device into a restricted area and photograph propulsion technology suggests a lapse in protocol that U.S. authorities will likely scrutinize heavily. However, the swift appointment of Fedyaev suggests that both NASA and Roscosmos are prioritizing the continuity of ISS operations over a prolonged diplomatic standoff.
What is ITAR? When is SpaceX Crew-12 scheduled to launch? Has Oleg Artemyev been banned from future flights?
Russian Cosmonaut Removed from SpaceX Crew-12 Following Alleged Security Breach
Allegations of ITAR Violations
Official Narratives vs. Reported Reality
Roscosmos Statement
Silence from U.S. Partners
Background: Oleg Artemyev
The Replacement: Andrey Fedyaev
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a U.S. regulatory regime that controls the manufacture, sale, and distribution of defense and space-related articles and services. It strictly limits access to sensitive technology by foreign nationals.
The mission is currently targeting a launch in February 2026.
While Roscosmos has only stated he is transferring to another job, ITAR violations can carry penalties including permanent bans from accessing U.S. aerospace facilities, which would effectively prevent him from flying on U.S. vehicles or training at NASA facilities in the future.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lobachevsky University