The Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center has announced that Oleg Kononenko, Hero of Turkmenistan, has been appointed as the commander of the prime crew of the "Soyuz MS-31" spacecraft as part of the "ISS-77" expedition. Cosmonaut Alexander Grebyonkin will accompany him on the mission.

For Oleg Kononenko, this will be the sixth flight of his professional career. He currently holds the official world record for the total duration of stay in space, with a cumulative time exceeding 1,110 days. As the most experienced active cosmonaut, Kononenko balances his mission preparation with his role leading the Cosmonaut Training Center.

Oleg Dmitriyevich was born and raised in the city of Chardzhou (now Turkmenabat), where he graduated from secondary school No. 15. His dream of space was born in Turkmenistan, leading him first to the Kharkiv Aviation Institute and eventually into orbit. A mechanical engineer by training, Kononenko's first flight took place in April 2008.

Oleg Kononenko’s outstanding achievements have been recognized with the highest state honors from two nations. He is a Hero of the Russian Federation and a Hero of Turkmenistan, as well as a recipient of the "Altyn Aý" (Golden Moon) medal.