Russia claimed it had launched a new military satellite as its war with Ukraine continues.

The Angara-1.2 rocket was reportedly launched on Sunday, March 16, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, carrying military satellites to be deployed in orbit.

Footage shows the rocket being towed to the launchpad by a train before it is manoeuvred into position.

The video then cuts to the rocket lifting off from the launchpad and blasting into space.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said the satellites were launched into orbit and taken under the control of ground-based assets of the Aerospace Forces.

Communication with the satellites has reportedly been established, and their onboard systems are operating normally.

The Russian authorities said in a statement: 'On Sunday, March 16, at 1:50 pm (Moscow time), from the State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (Plesetsk Cosmodrome) in the Arkhangelsk Region, a combat crew of the space troops of the Aerospace Forces successfully launched the light-class launch vehicle Angara-1.2 with spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defence.'

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in what the Kremlin is still calling a 'special military operation'.

Deserters have fled both countries for safer climbs in Europe and Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold talks this week as the U.S. pushes for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire.

Trump said: 'We want to see if we can bring that war to an end. Maybe we can, maybe we can't, but I think we have a very good chance.'