Key facts
- 49 Russian and Belarusian companies are involved in developing Russia's Rassvet satellite communications system.
- 23 of these companies, including Roscosmos, are not under international sanctions.
- The Rassvet system is primarily for military use, intended for drone control and military communications.
- Bureau 1440 leads the project, with Roscosmos and other aerospace firms involved in satellite production and deployment.
- Bank VTB is identified as an investor in the Rassvet project.
- The system is expected to cover Ukraine and Europe, and could support hybrid operations.
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) stated on October 28 that 49 Russian and Belarusian companies are participating in the development of Russia's low-Earth orbit satellite communications system, Rassvet. The intelligence agency published a list of these entities, which are involved in producing satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals, on its War&Sanctions portal. According to HUR, 23 of the identified companies and institutions, including the state space agency Roscosmos, have not been sanctioned by any country in the international coalition. The Rassvet network is intended to provide Russian forces with a dedicated satellite link for controlling drones over long distances and for military communications, with plans for integration into command vehicles. Bureau 1440, part of Russia's IKS Holding, is leading the project, while Roscosmos and other aerospace companies are responsible for launch vehicles and satellite components. Bureau 1440 has launched two batches of satellites for its constellation, with the first on March 23 and the second on July 20. HUR also named bank VTB, a major Russian financial institution, as an investor. The planned coverage of Rassvet is expected to focus on Ukraine and Europe, and HUR warned it could support Russian hybrid operations against other nations.