The SpaceX-operated Starlink system, active in Ukraine but not in Russia, has given Kyiv a significant advantage in using drones and maintaining communication on the battlefield.
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Russian forces in Ukraine previously used unofficially acquired Starlink terminals, but Kyiv managed to convince SpaceX to shut them down this year. This was one of the factors contributing to the shift in the frontline situation in favor of Ukraine.
In an interview with the Ukrainian media portal RBC-Ukraine, the deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR), Major General Vadym Skibitsky, said that the Russian “Rassvet” system currently consists of 16 satellites.
“They have already started launching them much faster than originally planned,” said V. Skibitsky.
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Warning about the growing satellite system
According to the Ukrainian intelligence representative, the system can currently only operate intermittently – when one of the satellites passes over Ukrainian territory.
However, Russia plans to create a constellation of 292 satellites by 2027, and expand it to 924 satellites by 2035.
“When Russia deploys the entire satellite constellation, the system will operate like Starlink. Discussions are already underway on how to combat it,” said V. Skibitsky.
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