Ekspress-80 and Ekspress 103 are communications satellites for Russian domestic communication services owned by RSCC (Kosmicheskiya Svyaz). Express 80 will be positioned at 80° East, and will be fitted with 16 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders to cover Russia, as well as two L-band transponders offering global coverage. Express 103 will be positioned at 103° East, and will be fitted with 16 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders to cover Russia and Southeast Asia, as well as one L-band transponder for global coverage. Both have a design life of 15 years.

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center is a Moscow-based producer of spacecraft and space-launch systems, including the Proton and Rokot rockets and is currently developing the Angara rocket family. The Proton launch vehicle launches from Baikonur and Rokot launches from Baikonur and Plesetsk. Angara will launch from Plesetsk and Vostochny.