NASA-Russia is evaluating the space rescue mission for the Soyuz

Moscow said on Tuesday (July 26) it would leave the International Space Station (ISS) “after 2024” amid tensions with the West, in a move analysts warn could lead to disruption of Russian manned flights.

Confirmation of the long-debated move comes as relations between the Kremlin and the West dissolve over Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine and several rounds of crushing sanctions against Russia, including its space sector.

Space experts say Russia’s departure from the International Space Station will seriously affect the country’s space sector and deal a major blow to its manned flight program, which is Russia’s main source of pride.

“Of course, we will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has already been made,” Yury Borisov, the new head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, told President Vladimir Putin. account of the Kremlin. from their meeting.

“I think at this stage we will start assembling the Russian orbital station,” Borisov added, calling it the top “priority” of the Russian space program.

“Good,” Putin replied.

The ISS will retire after 2024, although the US space agency NASA says it could remain operational until at least 2030.