Zubritsky flew attack aircraft for Ukraine’s 204th Sevastopol Brigade in 2013. The following year, after Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea, he joined the Russian military. He was later stationed in Rostov and Krasnodar and transitioned into cosmonaut training.
He launched into space aboard a Soyuz-2a rocket with Russian commander Sergey Ryzhikov and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. According to NASA, the mission lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and docked with the ISS after two Earth orbits lasting around three hours.
Zubritsky is now part of the Expedition 72 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Don Pettit, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Ivan Vagner, and Alexey Ovchinin.
"For his 'treachery', Ukrainian-born Zubritsky faces arrest in his home country and the confiscation of all property."
"Having committed high treason and desertion, he joined the armed forces of the Russian Federation, where he is still serving, in particular, as a test cosmonaut, [and] flight engineer of the ISS-72/73 crew [currently in space],' said the Ukrainian prosecutor."
Zubritsky’s mission is expected to last seven months. During that time, the ISS crew will conduct various experiments, help with station maintenance, and assist with cargo arrivals and departures.
He’s also expected to participate in spacewalks, including missions planned by both Russian and American teams. One goal is to help upgrade the space station’s solar panels.
Zubritsky is currently acting as a "special correspondent" for Russian state media outlet TASS, making him the sixth Russian astronaut to take on the role, reports the Daily Mail.
Pro-Kremlin outlet SHOT reported: "Russians have exceptional respect for Alexey, are happy for his career and send greetings to the ISS."
