Russia presses homegrown Starlink rival as Kyiv cites use in war

· Security · Russia · Ukraine

Russia's Security Council said on Friday that Moscow must urgently expand its homegrown equivalent to Elon Musk's Starlink, warning the satellite network could be used to destabilise society and politics in unspecified countries. Ukraine's military intelligence said Russia is already using its new Rassvet satellite network, billed as a homegrown Starlink, for military communications over Ukraine, aiming to make strike drones more accurate and harder to jam. The developments show both sides racing to control battlefield connectivity.

Why it matters：Satellite communications are reshaping modern warfare, and the race to build sovereign alternatives affects military and civilian networks worldwide.

Key points

  • Russia's Security Council wants faster expansion of its Starlink rival.
  • Ukraine says Russia uses the Rassvet network for military comms.
  • The aim is more accurate, harder-to-jam strike drones.

Sources (original reporting)

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