Russia Accelerates Deployment of Its Own Starlink Alternative — Intelligence

Russia is rapidly expanding its Rassvet satellite constellation, a domestic alternative to Starlink, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, revealed that Russia is launching satellites ahead of the schedule set in its original plans. In March 2026, Russia deployed 16 Rassvet satellites into low Earth orbit, with plans to launch a total of 292 satellites by 2027 and eventually expand the constellation to 924 satellites by 2035.

Currently, the system operates intermittently, providing coverage over Ukraine only when an individual satellite passes over the country's territory. However, once Russia completes the deployment of the full constellation, Rassvet is expected to offer continuous satellite coverage similar to Starlink. Ukrainian intelligence officials are already discussing potential countermeasures to this development.

The Rassvet project is part of Russia's broader strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign satellite communications and establish its own space-based infrastructure. As of now, up to 40 additional Rassvet satellites have been launched, bringing the total in orbit to this number.