Ukraine sanctions developers of Russia's Starlink rival and 39 shadow fleet vessels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on 10 companies and 19 Russian nationals involved in developing Russia's planned satellite communications network, Rassvet, as well as 39 vessels used to transport Russian energy exports, the president's office announced on October 30.
Russia is developing Rassvet as a low-Earth-orbit satellite communications system similar to Starlink, according to the Ukrainian president's office. Kyiv says Moscow intends to use the network to coordinate troops and guide attack drones, including Shaheds, and missiles in real time.
Ukrainian officials warn that the system could strengthen Russia's ability to control weapons remotely during attacks on Ukraine and potentially threaten other countries.
The sanctions target Bureau 1440, the project's developer and systems integrator, along with companies involved in producing satellites, solar panels, electronic components and other equipment. A Belarusian aerospace components manufacturer is also among those sanctioned.
“Rassvet is Russia's attempt to create its own low-Earth-orbit satellite system and use it in its war against Ukraine and to threaten the entire world,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Zelenskyy's sanctions policy adviser.
He said the project depends on foreign technologies and components, which Ukraine aims to disrupt before the system becomes operational. Kyiv is urging its international partners to align their sanctions.
Separately, Ukraine sanctioned 39 vessels that it says are part of Russia's shadow fleet, which transports oil, petroleum products and gas condensate to countries including China, India, Egypt and Turkey.
The vessels sail under 13 different flags, including those of Russia, Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands.
According to the president's office, one of the sanctioned tankers, Vasily Dinkov, carried approximately 726,000 metric tons of Russian crude oil in 15 shipments during the first half of 2026.
Some of the vessels are already subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries. Ukraine said it would share information with its partners to coordinate further restrictions.
The sanctions were enacted through presidential decrees No. 1072/2026 and No. 1073/2026.