Confusion About Russian Space Policy

Russia may curtail permanently inhabited orbital stations program – Roscosmos deputy chief (Part 2), Interfax
“The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) could phase out its program of building orbiting stations permanently inhabited by crews in favor of unmanned stations regularly visited by crews, Roscosmos Deputy Chief Vitaly Davydov told journalists.”
Human flight to Mars could be accomplished beyond 2040 – Roscosmos
“A flight to Mars is the strategic goal of Russia’s space exploration programs, but the journey to Mars lies through the moon, Nikolai Panichkin, the first deputy director of the Central Research Institute of Machine-Building, told journalists on Wednesday.”
Russia may put space program under state defense order, RIA Novosti
“The Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said on Wednesday it is considering returning the federal space program to the framework of the state defense order to ensure steady financing and reduce the number of accidents with space launches. “It would be beneficial to return the federal space program and the Glonass program to the framework of the state defense order,” said Vitaly Davydov, deputy head of Roscosmos.”
Keith’s note: One Russian news service (Interfax) quotes Davydov from Roscomos as saying that there may be a shift from manned to unmanned programs while Panichkin from Central Research Institute of Machine-Building talks about sending humans to Mars. Then RIA Novosti, another Russian news service quotes Davydov as saying that their space program may be shifted to a new agency. And people think U.S. space policy is confusing …