Russia launches first Starlink alternative satellites into orbit

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Facebook by Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, better known by his callsign Flash.

“Russia’s Starlink equivalent is the Bureau 1440 project,” he wrote.

Beskrestnov said he had been inundated with questions after the Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi compiled publicly available information about the Rassvet satellite project in a video review.

In response, he provided a structured assessment of the program.

“The enemy needs a Russian Starlink. Russia clearly understands the importance of high-speed data transmission through low-Earth-orbit satellites, and it would be naive to think they would ignore this area. The only question is timing,” Beskrestnov noted.

“I have no idea which agencies or institutions in our country are tracking this project and considering the potential challenges it may pose. I can only speak for myself. Since the first day of the war, I have been collecting information on this topic, analyzing it, and monitoring developments,” he added.

Addressing questions about possible countermeasures, Beskrestnov said:

“Why aren’t we doing anything against this project? Because there is currently no evidence or indication of military use. And frankly, what countermeasures do people imagine? Sending our long-range drones to attack the Plesetsk, Vostochny, and Baikonur spaceports to stop the launch of mobile internet satellites? That sounds absurd to me.”

According to the adviser, “there are already 16 Rassvet satellites in orbit. To provide continuous and stable data transmission, at least 200–250 satellites are needed. The plan is to launch 300 satellites in the coming years and eventually expand the constellation by another 700. We will see how many are actually launched, as schedules and plans change constantly.”

Beskrestnov said the satellites could theoretically already be used for military purposes.

“A satellite can provide high-speed data transmission for about six to ten minutes while passing overhead. They currently pass over us roughly once per day. Anyone interested in tracking their flights can use applications such as Satellite Tracker.

In theory, the enemy could install satellite internet terminals on Shahed drones and schedule attacks to coincide with satellite overpasses. However, I believe that would be too complicated from an organizational standpoint. Until there are enough satellites in orbit to provide stable communications, military use is unlikely.”

He added that if Rassvet satellites begin to be used militarily, Ukraine would likely detect it through satellite traffic analysis, intelligence information, or captured equipment.

“If military use of the Rassvet satellites begins, we will identify it through satellite traffic, intelligence data, or trophies, depending on how they are employed,” he said.

Discussing possible future countermeasures, Beskrestnov drew a comparison with Starlink.

“Has Russia, with all of its scientific and technological capabilities, managed to do anything significant against Starlink over the past four years? No. So I think we may also struggle once there are very large numbers of these satellites in orbit. Still, I do have a few ideas. It is simply too early to test them now. The current 16 satellites are operating in test mode,” he said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, in February, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reached an agreement with Elon Musk and SpaceX regarding Starlink that effectively deprived Russian forces of access to the communications system.

Photo: Serhii Flash / Facebook