The Rassvet satellite system is planned for use in managing Russian troops
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published data on 49 Russian and Belarusian enterprises involved in the development of the Rassvet low-orbit broadband satellite data transmission system. This project is positioned as a Russian analogue to Starlink designed to meet the requirements of the Russian Armed Forces. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
The Rassvet system includes a low-orbit satellite constellation, ground control infrastructure, gateway stations, and subscriber terminals for both stationary and mobile assets. The production cooperative involves IT firms, microelectronics manufacturers, research centers, and structures affiliated with Roskosmos and the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Production Cooperation
The primary enterprise behind the project is Bureau 1440, a subsidiary of the IKS Holding IT conglomerate. Companies within the holding supply components, manufacture solar panels, subscriber equipment, printed circuit boards, and electronic modules. Meanwhile, Roskosmos and other aerospace industry entities are responsible for developing and producing launch vehicles, upper stages, and electric propulsion engines.
The Rassvet project is overseen by the head of Roskosmos, Dmitry Bakanov. Financial support for the system’s creation was provided by VTB Bank. Structures of the Russian Ministry of Defence manage the cosmodromes and ensure the system’s integration into Russian military communication infrastructure.
Sanctions Gaps
Despite the project’s strategic military importance, 23 of the 49 listed entities, including Roskosmos itself, remain unaffected by sanctions from any member of the sanctions coalition. These companies continue to operate without restrictions.
Moscow views Rassvet primarily as a military communication system. Future plans involve its wide-scale use for strategic command and control, targeting guidance for missile systems, and equipping command vehicles for Iskander-M tactical missile systems with subscriber terminals.
Intelligence officials emphasize the necessity of consolidating efforts to block the supply chains for the required technologies, including components, equipment, and software. All involved enterprises must be placed on international blacklists, ensuring a complete prohibition on cooperation and enforcing real consequences for any violations, as the system aims to cover Ukrainian and EU territory.
Illustrative photo: RBC-Україна
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