Cosmos 2518

EKS is a developing programme of Russian early warning satellites as a replacement for the US-KMO and US-K satellites of the Oko programme. These satellites identify ballistic missile launches from outer space and complement early warning radars such as the Voronezh. This gives advance notice of a nuclear attack and would provide information to the A-135 missile defense system which protects Moscow, as well as other Russian missile defense and counterattack resources.