Russia’s Rassvet satellite communication system, developed as an alternative to Starlink, could significantly increase the effectiveness of Russian strikes and undermine Ukraine’s ability to protect its military infrastructure. Alexander Danilyuk, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, raised these concerns in an interview with the Financial Times.

Danilyuk warned that the greatest danger lies not simply in Russia acquiring its own Starlink equivalent, but in the capabilities it could give relatively inexpensive attack drones. According to him, satellite connectivity could enable these UAVs to detect, track and strike moving targets deep inside Ukrainian territory.

Financial Times commentators also suggested that deploying Rassvet could pose a threat to European security. The system would allow drones to be controlled from anywhere within its satellite coverage area, potentially expanding their operational reach.

Experts noted that the United States would not be able to simply switch off the satellite signal over Ukraine. Electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting such communications are expensive and operate only within limited geographical areas.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, that Russia was already using Rassvet over Ukrainian territory. In October, an adviser to the Ukrainian president on defense technology described the Russian satellite system as the country’s biggest threat.