Russian forces are already using the Rassvet satellite network over Ukraine for military communications, according to Reuters, citing Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). The system is being positioned as Russia’s domestic alternative to Starlink.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia launched 32 Rassvet satellites into orbit in 2026, deploying them in two batches in March and July. HUR representative Andriy Yusov confirmed that Russian forces are already using the network for military communications over Ukrainian territory.

Reuters reports that the satellite system is intended to improve the accuracy of Russian attack drones and make them more difficult to disrupt using electronic warfare systems.

Earlier, Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian president on defense technology, identified Rassvet as the country’s most serious threat. He warned that deploying the satellite network would allow Russian forces to control drones and missiles in real time while bypassing Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.