A veteran Russian cosmonaut assigned to SpaceX’s upcoming Crew-12 mission has been abruptly removed from the flight amid allegations that he photographed restricted materials during training at the company’s California facility.

Russian space authorities confirmed that 54-year-old Oleg Artemyev, one of the country’s most experienced cosmonauts, was replaced on the Crew-12 roster just weeks before the mission’s scheduled launch. Roscosmos claimed the decision was made because Artemyev had been “reassigned to another duty,” but did not comment on the reported incident.

According to information published by The Insider and referenced by several international outlets, Artemyev allegedly used his mobile phone to photograph SpaceX engine components and sensitive documentation while undergoing pre-flight preparations at the company’s Hawthorne training center. Some reports also claim he attempted to transfer the materials outside the facility, violating strict US regulations governing the handling of controlled technologies.

Space industry analyst Georgy Trishkin, speaking to Russian media, said available information points to a formal inter-agency investigation. He noted that it would be “highly unlikely” for a cosmonaut of Artemyev’s seniority to commit such an infraction unintentionally, emphasizing that access to restricted areas during training is tightly monitored.

Following the allegations, Roscosmos replaced Artemyev with fellow Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who previously flew to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission in 2023. Fedyaev spent 186 days in orbit during that assignment. Neither NASA nor SpaceX has issued a public comment regarding Artemyev’s removal.

Artemyev is a veteran of three long-duration spaceflights and has logged more than 560 days in orbit. Despite his extensive experience, the reported incident has triggered renewed debate about security procedures within international space cooperation, especially between the US and Russia at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

The Crew-12 mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is expected to launch no earlier than February 15, 2026, aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Preparations for the mission are continuing as scheduled, according to US officials. (ILKHA)