Ukraine urges US to sanction firms behind Russia's Starlink rival Rassvet

Ukraine has urged the United States to impose sanctions on several Russian entities it says are helping develop Moscow’s Rassvet satellite network, a domestic alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink, Kyiv’s acting ambassador in Washington said on Wednesday.

Denys Sienik, deputy chief of mission at the Ukrainian embassy, told reporters that Russia was rapidly expanding the Rassvet network, and that its goal of starting operations in 2027 would pose grave risks to Ukraine. “If they launch Rassvet by the end of 2026, they will be able to target to hit Ukrainian targets real time on our territory,” he said, adding that Kyiv would share details about the firms and individuals with the US government and Congress.

Sienik said Ukraine plans to issue its own national sanctions against the entities linked to the network. “If these entities are not sanctioned, it will actually make this program possible for Russia and that will be a game-changer,” he said.

The plea is part of a wider sanctions “wish list” Ukraine will present to the Trump administration and Congress this week under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on 18 September. Sienik told the Associated Press that the top priority is several Russian companies producing components for Russia’s version of Starlink: the main firm setting up the network is already under US sanctions, but those making its components are not. The administration faces an 18 October deadline to decide which Russian entities it will sanction under the law.

Alexei Shelobkov, chief executive of Iks Holding, the company developing the service, said in June that Russia plans to start operating Rassvet in 2027. The company launched its first 16 low-orbit satellites in March and plans to reach 900 over several years, against more than 10,000 Starlink satellites currently in orbit. Starlink is banned in Russia, where using its equipment can draw fines.

Ukraine has also asked for expanded Starlink coverage so it can strike Russian ballistic missile launchers inside Russian territory, a message backed by Finnish President Alexander Stubb last week. Separately, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called on the European Union to sanction nine legal entities involved in the Rassvet project, along with missile and fuel-component makers, according to Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi.

Sources

• Reuters: “Ukraine urges US to sanction entities supporting Russia’s Starlink rival”, 30 Sept 2026 — https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-urges-us-sanction-entities-supporting-russias-starlink-rival-2026-09-30/
• Associated Press (via Arab News): “Ukraine to present ‘wish list’ for new Russia sanctions under Graham law”, 30 Sept 2026 — https://www.arabnews.com/world/ukraine-to-present-wish-list-for-new-russia-sanctions-under-graham-law-3003984
• The Straits Times: “Ukraine urges US to sanction entities supporting Russia’s Starlink rival”, 30 Sept 2026 — https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-urges-us-to-sanction-entities-supporting-russias-starlink-rival
• Militarnyi: “Ukraine Calls on the EU to Impose Sanctions on Russia’s Starlink Counterpart — the Rassvet Project” — https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukraine-eu-sanctions-russia-rassvet-project/