Rassvet is intended to let Russian surveillance and strike drones exchange data in real time, improving their effectiveness and making them harder to jam or intercept. Moscow plans further launches through 2026 to expand coverage, though the current network does not offer consistent communications across Ukraine. Russia’s Scientific and Expert Council has warned about Starlink’s effect on Russian operations and urged a faster Rassvet rollout.
Ukraine has benefited from Starlink and Starshield for military communications, although Ukrainian commanders have also faced challenges with Starshield. Russian forces previously obtained Starlink terminals through Ukraine’s grey market; SpaceX later disabled them. Ukrainian battlefield successes have added to concern in Moscow about the gap in satellite communications.
Ukraine is seeking to constrain Rassvet’s development. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has imposed sanctions on companies involved in the system. Ukrainian defense intelligence has identified 49 companies linked to the project, and Ukraine’s envoy in Washington has asked the United States to sanction them, alleging that Chinese components are being used. The US Treasury has not commented on the request.
Earlier this year, Ukraine launched a missile attack on a facility that produces rockets for Rassvet satellite launches. Reuters provided information for the report.
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