Ukraine urges US sanctions on entities behind Russia's Rassvet satellite network

Ukraine urges the United States to sanction Russian entities supporting the Rassvet satellite network, Moscow’s Starlink rival, warning it could let Russia control attack drones over Ukrainian territory.

Deputy chief of mission Denys Sienik, Ukraine’s acting ambassador in Washington, told reporters on Sept 30 that Kyiv would give Washington and Congress details of firms and individuals it accuses of supporting Rassvet.

“If they launch Rassvet by the end of 2026, they will be able to target Ukrainian targets in real time on our territory,” Sienik said. “If these entities are not sanctioned, it will actually make this program possible for Russia and that will be a game-changer.”

Rassvet’s main developer is already under US sanctions, but its component suppliers are not, Sienik said; Kyiv wants targets listed under the newly enacted Lindsey O. Graham sanctions law, the Associated Press reported.

Rassvet is a low-Earth-orbit broadband network built by Bureau 1440, part of IKS Holding. The first 16 satellites launched on March 23 and a second batch on July 20; CEO Alexei Shelobkov said in June it would grow to 900 satellites over several years, with testing in 2026 and commercial operations planned for 2027.

Presidential technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, known as “Flash,” warned on Telegram that Rassvet could support remotely piloted attacks across Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces cannot use Starlink over Russia. Sienik said Ukraine urgently needs about 300 more Patriot interceptors ahead of winter, and that Russia makes more than 100 ballistic missiles a month, according to Reuters.