Elektro-L is an advanced Russian heavy meteorological satellite. Its mission will help in weather forecasting, studying seas and oceans, navigating aircraft and ships, as well as researching the ionosphere and magnetic fields.

This mission marks the return to flight of the Proton-M heavy-lift rocket after a three-year hiatus. The rocket was last used on March 13, 2023, while its previous launch in this specific configuration—with the Blok DM-03 upper stage—took place on February 5, 2023, to deliver the Elektro-L №4 satellite into orbit.

This flight will be the final mission of Proton-M paired with the Blok DM-03 upper stage. Although newer derivatives of the DM-03 will continue flying aboard the Angara-A5 rocket from the Vostochny and Plesetsk Cosmodromes, Proton-M will henceforth operate exclusively with the Briz-M upper stage.

The launch date was Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 8:52 AM (UTC).