Soyuz TM-28 launched 1998

Soyuz TM-28 crew (L-R):   Yuri Baturin, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Avdeyev

Soyuz TM-28 mission match

Soyuz TM-28, the 26th mission to the space station Mir, launched August 13, 1998.  Its crew consisted of Commander Gennady Padalka, Sergei Avdeyev and Yuri Baturin, who is the first Russian politician in space.

When Soyuz TM-28 returned to Earth in February 1999, Padalka was the only original crew member on board.  Flight Engineer Sergei Avdeyev stayed until August 1999, returning on Soyuz TM-29. 

Baturin stayed on Mir for about a week and a half, returning to Earth August 25 aboard Soyuz TM-27.

However, Padalka was not alone on his return trip.  Slovakian cosmonaut Ivan Bella returned on Soyuz TM-28 after a week stay on Mir.  He arrived on Soyuz TM-29 February 20.