MOSCOW, Aug 29, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - The Kremlin said Tuesday that Russia would 
not give up its ambitions to land a craft on the Moon after its first lunar 
mission in nearly 50 years failed this month.

The Luna-25 module crashed on the Moon's surface after an incident during 
pre-landing manoeuvres. An Indian mission days later successfully landed near 
the Moon's south pole.

"We know that the way to the stars is through thorns. The main thing is to 
continue the Russian programme," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told 
reporters.

"The plans are quite ambitious and they will be realised," he said, adding 
that the failed mission was not a reason to "tear your hair out".

The Luna-25 mission was meant to mark Moscow's return to independent Moon 
exploration in the face of financial troubles and corruption scandals, and 
growing isolation from the West.

It last landed a probe on the Moon in 1976, before shifting away from lunar 
exploration in favour of missions to Venus and building the Mir space 
station.