Ukraine urges US to sanction Russian Rassvet satellite internet network

Diplomatic outreach in Washington

Ukraine is preparing a formal appeal to the United States government to impose sanctions on three corporate entities involved in developing Russia's Rassvet satellite network. Denys Sienik, the acting head of the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, announced the initiative during a press briefing with journalists on Wednesday. Ukrainian diplomats plan to provide the Trump administration and the United States Congress with detailed information regarding the development of Moscow's satellite internet system. The central enterprise linked to the Rassvet project was previously sanctioned by the United States in 2024, but Kyiv argues that further restrictions are required to disrupt the supply chain. Sienik explained that the deployment of the network poses a substantial threat on the battlefield by enabling Russian forces to track mobile Ukrainian targets, such as rocket launchers, in real time.

If the network begins operating according to plan in 2027, it could allow designating Ukrainian assets as targets in real time.

Development of Russia's Starlink alternative

The Rassvet low Earth orbit system is being developed by Bureau 1440, an aerospace company that operates as a subsidiary of ICS Holding. Russian efforts to build an independent satellite communications network intensified after SpaceX restricted the unauthorized use of Starlink terminals by Russian military forces operating on the front lines. The European Union included the Rassvet network in its 21st sanctions package in July, but that measure stopped short of placing direct sanctions on the manufacturing company itself. In response to the dual-use nature of the project, Ukrainian officials have also petitioned the International Telecommunication Union to remove Ukraine from the Rassvet service coverage area, arguing that the system is built to serve Russian military objectives. Moscow plans to begin initial operations of the network in 2027, with a long-term target of deploying more than 900 operational satellites by 2035 to establish worldwide broadband coverage.

Orbital launches and Ukrainian kinetic strikes

Russia has accelerated its launch tempo in 2026, delivering a total of 32 operational satellites into low Earth orbit across two separate space missions. The first batch of 16 satellites was launched in March 2026, followed by a second batch of 16 satellites sent into orbit in July 2026. Although several satellites experienced technical malfunctions following deployment, the majority succeeded in reaching their planned orbits and entering service. In parallel with diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian military forces have carried out direct attacks against Russian space and rocket manufacturing infrastructure. In mid-August, Ukrainian forces struck the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, a key industrial facility in south-eastern European Russia responsible for producing Soyuz launch vehicles. Around the same period, Ukrainian forces carried out an attempted strike on the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, the primary military installation used to launch Rassvet satellites.

Demands for cross-border Starlink access

Alongside efforts to restrict Russia's domestic satellite capabilities, Kyiv is seeking permission to expand its own satellite connectivity across the international border. Ukrainian officials have asked for authorized access to the Starlink network on Russian territory to support precision strikes against Russian launch positions. Ukraine faces intensifying aerial bombardments launched from military platforms situated across the border in Russia. Access to reliable satellite communications inside Russian territory is intended to allow Ukrainian forces to accurately target and neutralize these strike platforms before weapons can be launched. Sienik indicated that countering Russia's aggressive expansion in orbit and securing cross-border targeting capabilities are critical to preventing Moscow from gaining a decisive reconnaissance advantage.