Russia speeds up launch of Rassvet, its Starlink alternative, Ukraine's intelligence says
Photo: Satellite of the Rassvet system ("Bureau 1440")
Russia is rapidly deploying the Rassvet satellite constellation, its own equivalent of Starlink, ahead of the timeline set out in its plans, according to Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's military intelligence, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
How many satellites are already in orbit
According to Skibitskyi, Moscow is deploying Rassvet much faster than its own plans had anticipated. In March 2026, Russia launched the first 16 satellites of the constellation into low Earth orbit.
The next step will be additional launches to build a full-scale constellation: 292 satellites by 2027, and eventually 924 satellites by 2035.
How the system will work and whether it can be countered
At present, Rassvet can operate only intermittently, when a particular satellite is passing over Ukrainian territory. However, once Russia deploys a full constellation, the system will operate on a principle similar to Starlink. According to Skibitskyi, discussions are already underway on how to counter the system.
It was previously reported that Russia was likely preparing to launch Rassvet satellites from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, tentatively between July 11 and 16.
Rassvet is expected to become fully operational on a commercial basis around 2027. As noted in a column by Adaptis CEO Mykola Kalinichenko, the planned orbital altitude of the constellation is higher than the main operating altitudes used by the Starlink network.
