Kazakhstan, Russia discussing implementation of Baiterek project in Baikonur amid anti-Russian sanctions

NUR-SULTAN. May 12 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and Russia are negotiating terms of the implementation of the Baiterek project in Baikonur amid the fallout from anti-Russian sanctions, an official in the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry told Interfax.

"Considering the restrictions on Russia and their impact on further implementation of the Baiterek project, the sides are negotiating terms of the project continuation in order to elaborate measures that would mitigate the implications," an official said.

Preliminary design of the project is ready, and design specifications and estimates are being prepared alongside design documentation to renovate the site, he said.

"It is planned to finalize the preparations and to carry out an evaluation of the design specifications and estimates for renovation of the site infrastructure and to begin construction in 2022 consistent with the project," the official said.

Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said in April that the construction of the Russian-Kazakh Baiterek launch site for the new Soyuz-5 rocket would begin in 2022.

Baiterek is an unfinished Russian-Kazakh launch site in Baikonur to be used for Soyuz-5 missions.