49 Firms Identified in Russia's Rassvet Satellite Project

Ukrainian Defence Intelligence has released a detailed inventory of 49 Russian and Belarusian companies currently constructing Rassvet, a satellite network designed to compete with Starlink.

The agency defines the system as a low-Earth orbit constellation supported by ground control infrastructure, gateway stations, and user terminals for fixed and mobile use. The build involves IT firms, microelectronics manufacturers, and research centers. Entities linked to Roscosmos and the Russian Defense Ministry are also part of the supply chain.

Bureau 1440, a limited liability company within the ICS Holding IT group, serves as the main contractor. Other ICS Holding firms produce solar panels, user terminals, printed circuit boards, and electronic modules. Roscosmos and other aerospace firms manage launch vehicles, upper stages, and electric propulsion engines. They also handle satellite adaptation and orbital placement. Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, directly oversees the project. He previously led the Gonets Satellite System, which included a joint venture with UK firm OneWeb for Russian market services.

Defense Ministry entities operate the spaceport and coordinate project participants. They will integrate the system into military communications infrastructure. The Russian bank VTB appears on the list of investors. The intelligence agency noted that 23 of the 49 entities have not faced sanctions from the coalition. Roscosmos is one of those unsanctioned bodies.

The agency states that Rassvet is primarily for military use. Russia plans to use it for strategic communications, command and control, and directing strike platforms. The system will equip command posts and military hardware with terminals. It will also support combat unmanned systems and maintain Defense Ministry operations. Moscow intends to link the satellites to a space-based targeting system for missiles. User terminals will fit command vehicles of the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system.

DIU warned that planned coverage initially targets Ukraine and the EU. The agency stated that once sufficient coverage is achieved, Russia could use the system in hybrid acts of aggression against other nations. The agency called for sanctions on the listed companies and limits on component, equipment, and software supplies. It reported that Russia is deploying the system ahead of schedule. Sixteen satellites reached orbit in March 2026. The constellation is scheduled to reach 292 satellites by 2027 and 924 by 2035.