National Security Breach: Cosmonaut Removed from SpaceX Crew-12 Mission

​A Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Artemyev, has been removed from the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) following an alleged violation of strict U.S. national security regulations. While Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, stated the decision was made due to Artemyev’s "transfer to another job," multiple media reports indicate the removal stemmed from an alleged breach of U.S. law regarding sensitive technology.

​The Alleged ITAR Violation

​The Russian investigative site The Insider reported that Artemyev was pulled from the mission due to a violation of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). ITAR is a U.S. law designed to safeguard national security by restricting the dissemination of sensitive military and space-related information and technology.

​The violation allegedly occurred while Artemyev, 54, was training at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Reports claim the veteran cosmonaut photographed sensitive SpaceX documentation, engine components, and other classified technology with his phone and then exported that information.

​Launch analyst Gregory Trishkin confirmed that an interdepartmental investigation has been launched into the matter, noting that removing an experienced cosmonaut with minimal explanation just two and a half months before a scheduled launch is a significant, indicative sign of a serious breach.

​Impact on the Mission

​Artemyev, a veteran who has spent over 560 days in space, was slated to fly on Crew-12, a four-person operational mission under contract with NASA, scheduled to launch as early as February 2026.

​Following his removal, fellow cosmonaut Andrei Fedyayev was named as his replacement. The mission will now carry Fedyayev, ESA's Sophie Adenot, and two as-yet-unnamed NASA astronauts for a roughly six-month stay aboard the ISS.

​This incident highlights the tight security and regulatory challenges inherent in the ongoing space partnership between the U.S. and Russia, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue.