The Russian Aerospace Forces registered over 20 ballistic missile space rocket launches and held about 400 satellite linkups in 2015, the Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday.

"Our missile attack warning center registered over 20 launches by Russian and foreign ballistic missiles and space rockets," the ministry press-service said, RIA Novosti reported.

"The Russian Aerospace Forces have also placed in orbit 16 satellites for the Defense Ministry, the Federal Space Agency and as part of the GLONASS and international cooperation programs," the press release said.

The fourth of October is celebrated each year in Russia as Aerospace Forces Day; the date was timed to coincide with the first-ever launching of an artificial space satellite, known worldwide as Sputnik.

The Aerospace Forces are responsible for commanding the hundreds of planes in the air force arsenal and managing air and missile defenses.

Added to that is complete responsibility for all aspects of Russia's military space operations, from launch to the operation in space of intelligence and nuclear missile warning satellites.

Source: Sputnik News