The world just watched three billionaires make fools of themselves to establish space tourism and I'm sure Russia noticed. This is the director's second launch this year and I can't see the Russian film industry being able to recoup that kind of investment. He must have received approval from the highest ranks in Russia, if it wasn't their idea/bankroll to begin with. Innovative propagandists even if it does seem gimmicky.
Lancet is not "respected" after their autism fraud scandal. Re-publishing Russian state-sponsored research is not "confirming those numbers" it's just low editorial standards.