--- title: "Russia is already using the 'Rassvet' satellite system for military communications over Ukraine — HUR" description: "HUR reports that Russia is already using the 'Rassvet' satellite system for military communications over Ukraine, improving drone precision. Coverage is currently periodic, and some units have been lost." date: 2026-11-07T03:13:23.671Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russia-using-rassvet-satellite-for-communications tags: [rassvet-satellites, ukraine-war, gur-intelligence, military-satellites, starlink, drones] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Russia is already using the 'Rassvet' satellite system for military communications over Ukraine — HUR ![HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov speaking into a microphone during a press conference](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/07/rossiya-ispolzueta-rassvet-dlya-voennoy-svyazi-nad-ukrainoy-gur/rossiya-ispolzueta-rassvet-dlya-voennoy-svyazi-nad-ukrainoy-gur-1.webp) ## Key Points - According to HUR, Russia is using the 'Rassvet' satellite system for military communications over Ukraine to enhance drone precision and EW resistance. - 32 satellites were launched in 2026 across two batches; Buro 1440 plans a 900+ unit constellation by 2035. - Connectivity is currently periodic: expert Mykola Zentsev notes at least two windows of high-quality signal per day. - Rassvet-3 No. 17 burned up in the atmosphere on October 30 after less than three months in orbit. Russia is already employing its own low-Earth orbit satellite system, 'Rassvet,' for military communications over Ukrainian territory. According to RBK-Ukraine, citing Reuters, the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that the occupiers are using the satellites to make strike drones more precise and resistant to electronic warfare. ### What is 'Rassvet' and what are Moscow's plans According to HUR, in 2026 Russia launched 32 'Rassvet' satellites into orbit in two batches—in March and July. For comparison, SpaceX's Starlink network has more than ten thousand units. The project coordinator, the company 'Buro 1440,' expects to form a constellation of over 900 satellites by 2035, and Moscow plans further launches by the end of 2026 to expand coverage and gradually move toward a fully functional low-Earth orbit communication system. ### What is the threat to Ukraine The HUR explained that 'Rassvet' is capable of providing two-way data exchange with drones over Ukraine: reconnaissance drones can transmit information in real-time, and operators can change the course of strike vehicles mid-flight, reacting to target movements or bypassing air defense systems. 'In the long term, this could increase the efficiency of strike and reconnaissance UAVs and make them harder to intercept with electronic warfare and signal intelligence,' said HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov. ### Current coverage limitations However, according to Yusov, the current number of satellites is not yet sufficient for continuous coverage of Ukrainian territory: connectivity occurs periodically as the devices pass over relevant areas. Kyiv-based security expert Mykola Zentsev assesses the impact differently: he states that Russia already has at least two windows of high-quality satellite communication per day, each lasting over an hour, and the system's influence on the accuracy of Russian jet drones is already noticeable. ### Technical problems of the Russian Starlink counterpart The 'Rassvet' project is facing serious technical difficulties. On October 30, one of the system's units—Rassvet-3 No. 17—de-orbited and burned up in the atmosphere after operating for less than three months in space. According to Defense Express, the device likely failed to ignite its thrusters for orbital correction. The satellite was launched on July 19 from the Plesetsk cosmodrome as part of the second batch, and it had been reported back in September that this batch failed to reach its intended altitude. Thus, 'Rassvet' remains in an early stage: the system is already being exploited in combat conditions, but it is far from stable, continuous coverage comparable to Western analogues, and individual units are being lost within months of deployment. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Российский Starlink уже работает над Украиной, в ГУР объяснили, чем это грозит](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rosiyskiy-starlink-pratsyue-ukrayinoyu-gur-1794019855.html) - Primary source: HUR data on 32 satellites, launch batches, Buro 1440 plans, quotes from Yusov, and expert assessment. - [Россия уже использует аналог Starlink над Украиной – ГУР](https://war.obozrevatel.com/section-war/news-rosiya-vzhe-vykorystovuye-analoh-starlink-nad-ukrayinoyu-hur-06-11-2026.html) - Корреспондирует с версией ГУР о начале использования «Рассвета» для военной связи над Украиной. - [Россия запустила спутниковую связь над Украиной: ГУР предупредило об угрозе для ПВО](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/edu-and-science/_rossiya-zapustila-sputnikovuyu-svyaz-nad-ukrainoj-gur-predupredilo-ob-ugroze-dlya-pvo/1261766) - Подтверждает периодическое покрытие и передачу данных с разведывательных БПЛА. - [Россия уже использует собственный аналог Starlink для военной связи над Украиной, — ГУР](https://censor.net/ru/news/4032460/rossiyiskiyi-rassvet-rossiyane-ispolzuyut-analog-starlink) - Подтверждает тезис о повышении точности беспилотников через спутниковую связь. ## FAQ ### What is 'Rassvet'? A Russian low-Earth orbit satellite communications project coordinated by 'Buro 1440'. 32 satellites were deployed in 2026, with over 900 planned by 2035. ### Does 'Rassvet' provide continuous coverage of Ukraine? No. HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov states that the number of satellites is insufficient for continuous coverage, occurring only during flyovers. ### Have there been losses in the 'Rassvet' system? Yes. Rassvet-3 No. 17 burned up in the atmosphere in late October after failing to reach orbit.