The lander lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the remote eastern part of Russia and is scheduled to land in the Boguslawsky Crater in the lunar south pole region by late August.

Luna 25 is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments to study the lunar surface, including neutron, infrared, gamma-ray, and mass spectrometers.

The lander is also carrying a laser retro-reflector and a dust measurement device.

The mission is expected to last for one year.

Luna 25 is the first in a series of planned Russian lunar missions, which are aimed at further exploring the moon and its resources. (ILKHA)