Science & Tech · Space · 22 hrs ago
Ukraine says Russia is using its Rassvet satellite network in the war
Ukraine's military intelligence says Russia is using Rassvet for military communications over Ukraine.
The Russian satellite network is designed to connect its forces without relying on Elon Musk's Starlink system.
Satellite links could let operators send new information to drones during flights, potentially helping them change targets and making attacks more precise.
However, experts have not independently confirmed that Rassvet was behind any particular successful attack.
Russia has launched 32 Rassvet satellites, but the network can provide only intermittent connections over Ukraine, compared with more than 10,000 Starlink satellites.
The limited coverage means Russia is not yet able to provide a continuous service across the area.
Moscow plans to expand the network to more than 900 satellites by 2035.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency says Russia is using its Rassvet satellite network for military communications over Ukraine.
The system could let Russian forces send new information to drones during flights and potentially redirect them to other targets.
A link between Rassvet and specific successful attacks has not been independently established.
Russia has launched 32 Rassvet satellites this year, but the network can provide connections over Ukraine only at times.
Russia plans to expand the network to more than 900 satellites by 2035, according to existing plans.
- Who
- Russia is using the Rassvet network, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
- What
- The network is being used for military communications over Ukraine.
- When
- Ukraine’s military intelligence agency confirmed the use by the time of the report, published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Over Ukraine.
- Why
- The system is intended to connect Russian forces independently of the American Starlink network.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russia launched 16 Rassvet satellites.
Russia launched another 16 Rassvet satellites.
A Ukrainian Flamingo missile struck Russia’s Progress rocket centre in Samara, where launch vehicles for the satellites are made.
Bild reported that Ukraine’s military intelligence agency had confirmed Russia was using Rassvet for military communications over Ukraine.
- Satellites launched
- 32 this year: 16 in March and 16 in July
- Network developer
- Bureau 1440
- Current coverage
- Rassvet can provide connections over Ukraine only at times
- Planned network size
- More than 900 satellites by 2035
- Starlink comparison
- Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites