Russia launches first lunar landing mission in decades, racing with US, China, and India to explore moon's south pole

Russia has launched its Luna-25 spacecraft, its first moon landing mission since 1976.
The spacecraft aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon's south pole in late August.
The mission seeks to find water ice on the moon that could support future exploration and colonization.
The launch represents Russia's bid to re-establish itself as a major space power amid competition from the US, China, and India.
The moon's south pole is emerging as a key target for multiple countries due to potential resources like water ice.