Russian cosmonaut sets new record for most time in space

Оleg Kononenko, centre, spent more than 878 days and 12 hours in space (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has broken the world record for the most cumulative time spent in space, Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has reported.

The 59-year-old has now spent more than 878 days and 12 hours in space, surpassing fellow Russian Gennady Padalka, who set the previous record of 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes and 48 seconds in 2015.