Glonce

Zelensky reportedly asks Trump to sanction builders of Russia's Starlink rival Rassvet

policyThe Glonce editorsTNW🔥47Glonce rating47Impact45Novelty45Relevance50Surprise35Players50Credibility75
Zelensky reportedly asks Trump to sanction builders of Russia's Starlink rival Rassvet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Donald Trump to sanction the Russian and Chinese companies building Russia's answer to Starlink, the Financial Times reported. The details reached The Next Web through Ukrainian news agency UNN, which cited the FT report. According to that account, Zelensky has raised the issue with Trump several times, including at a recent meeting in New York.

The network is called Rassvet and is being built by the Russian firm Bureau 1440. Zelensky said it could start working by early next year. He also said China was helping, and put it this way: "We know that China works on satellites, works on the possibility of helping Russia with a similar Starlink."

The reason the request matters is the battlefield. Satellite internet has become vital in Ukraine: Starlink links up troops and drones, and Russia has tried to jam its signals. TNW notes that a Russian network of its own would give Moscow's forces a link that the US and SpaceX cannot switch off.

Rassvet is still a long way behind Starlink. Bureau 1440 launched its first 16 working satellites in March, and, as TNW reported in June, needs more than 250 before it can offer service. The company has pointed to a 2027 commercial launch, a date it has already pushed back once. That makes Zelensky's early-next-year timeline more ambitious than the company's own. Neither the White House nor SpaceX has commented publicly on the request.

Key facts

  • The Financial Times reported that Zelensky asked Donald Trump to sanction the Russian and Chinese companies building Russia's Starlink rival; he has raised it several times, including at a recent New York meeting.
  • The network, Rassvet, is being built by Russian firm Bureau 1440; Zelensky said it could start working by early next year and that China was helping.
  • Bureau 1440 launched its first 16 working satellites in March and needs more than 250 before it can offer service, per TNW's June report.
  • The company has pointed to a 2027 commercial launch, already pushed back once, so Zelensky's timeline is more ambitious than the company's.
  • Neither the White House nor SpaceX has commented publicly on the request.

Why it matters

Satellite internet has become vital on the battlefield in Ukraine. Starlink links up troops and drones, and Russia has tried to jam its signals. A Russian network of its own would give Moscow's forces a link that the US and SpaceX cannot switch off. That is the stake behind Zelensky's push for sanctions on the companies building Rassvet.

Who it affects

Ukraine's military, which relies on Starlink for troops and drones, and Russian forces, who would gain an independent link if Rassvet works. It also touches Bureau 1440 and the Chinese companies Zelensky says are helping, plus Trump, who is the one being asked to act, and SpaceX, the operator of Starlink.

How to use it

There is nothing to use yet. Rassvet is not offering service: Bureau 1440 has launched 16 working satellites and, per TNW's June report, needs more than 250 before it can. The company has pointed to a 2027 commercial launch.

How solid is it

The core claim comes second-hand. The Financial Times reported the request, and UNN cited those details, which TNW then relayed. The statements about China's help and about Rassvet starting work by early next year are Zelensky's own. The figure of more than 250 satellites needed comes from TNW's earlier June reporting; the 2027 date is given as the company's own. The source does not name the Chinese companies and does not say what sanctions Zelensky wants.

Risks and caveats

Rassvet is far behind: 16 working satellites against a stated need of more than 250, and a commercial date already pushed back once. Zelensky's early-next-year estimate is more ambitious than the company's 2027 target. Neither the White House nor SpaceX has commented publicly, and no response from Trump is given, so it is unclear whether any sanctions will follow. The source does not say what form China's help takes beyond Zelensky's quoted statement.

“We know that China works on satellites, works on the possibility of helping Russia with a similar Starlink”

— Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President