Ukraine urges US to sanction companies behind Russia's Starlink rival
Ukraine is urging the United States to sanction Russian companies and individuals involved in developing the Rassvet satellite network, warning that the system could significantly expand Russia's ability to conduct drone strikes.
Denys Sienik, deputy chief of mission at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, told Reuters that Moscow aims to begin operating Rassvet, a domestic alternative to SpaceX's Starlink, in 2027.
“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.
He said Kyiv would provide the U.S. government and Congress with details of the companies and individuals it accuses of supporting the project.
“If these entities are not sanctioned, it will actually make this program possible for Russia, and that will be a game-changer,” Sienik said.
Russia launched the first 16 low-Earth-orbit satellites for the network in March. Iks Holding, the company developing Rassvet, has said it plans to expand the constellation to as many as 900 satellites over several years.
Starlink, by comparison, operates more than 10,000 satellites, according to Reuters.
Kyiv has been pressing Washington to broaden sanctions targeting Russia's space-based communications infrastructure.