Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees No. 1072/2026 and No. 1073/2026, enacting National Security and Defence Council decisions to impose sanctions on Russian companies and individuals involved in creating the Rassvet low-orbit satellite communication system, as well as on 39 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet.
Rassvet: Russia’s Military Starlink
The sanctions package targeting Rassvet includes 10 companies and 19 associated Russian nationals involved in the project’s development and launch . Ukrainian officials have compared Rassvet to Elon Musk’s Starlink network, but stress its primary purpose is military.
According to Ukrainian intelligence (HUR), the system is intended for strategic military communications and troop control, management of strike platforms and unmanned systems, and equipping command posts with satellite terminals . Of particular concern: Russia plans to integrate Rassvet satellites into the targeting system for missile weapons and install subscriber terminals on command vehicles of Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems .
The planned orbital constellation consists of 292 satellites, with priority coverage covering Ukraine and EU countries . HUR warns that once sufficient coverage is achieved, Russia could use the system for hybrid operations against other states.
Key Companies Sanctioned
The sanctions list includes:
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Bureau 1440 (ООО «Бюро 1440») — the lead developer, coordinator and system integrator of the Rassvet project. The company is part of the IKS Holding IT conglomerate and is headed by Alexey Shelobkov, who was also sanctioned . HUR identified Bureau 1440 as the main enterprise implementing the project.
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Labs 1440 (АО «Лабс 1440») — specialises in manufacturing solar panels for spacecraft.
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FAB Rassvet (ООО «ФАБ Рассвет») — develops, manufactures and supports low-orbit communication satellites and subscriber terminals, led by Boris Kanunnikov, who was also sanctioned.
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Aerospace Devices (ЗАО «Аэрокосмические приборы») — a Belarusian enterprise registered in Minsk in December 2022, developing and prototyping components for aerospace systems.
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5S Group (ООО «5С Групп») — supplies foreign industrial equipment to Russia and develops RMatic industrial computers. One such computer was supplied to a sanctioned manufacturer of electronic warfare systems and Orlan drones and used in research and development for Bureau 1440 .
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Aquamash Production Association (ООО «Производственное объединение «Аквамаш») — specialises in precision metalworking and high-precision parts .
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El-Optics (ООО «Эл-Оптикс») — supplies, services and integrates optical, telecommunications and laser equipment, photonics and quantum communication systems .
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Elesar-Group (ООО «Элесар-Групп») — supplies foreign-made electronic components and equipment to Russia .
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Small Spacecraft (ООО «Малые космические аппараты») — develops space technology and ground-based satellite communication equipment .
The Strategic Logic
Presidential Advisor and Sanctions Commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk emphasised that the project depends on foreign technology and components:
“The project depends on foreign technologies, equipment and components, so we are striking at these chains already at the development stage and calling on partners to synchronise sanctions”.
According to HUR, 23 of the 49 enterprises identified as involved in the Rassvet project — including Roscosmos itself — remain under no sanctions from any country in the sanctions coalition. The project is personally overseen at Roscosmos by its head, Dmitry Bakanov, and one of its investors is VTB Bank.
Shadow Fleet Sanctions
The second decree imposes sanctions on 39 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet. Ukraine has systematically targeted shadow fleet tankers, which Moscow uses to transport oil and petroleum products in circumvention of Western sanctions.
The sanctions include asset freezes, termination of trade operations, restriction of transit through Ukrainian territory, prevention of capital flight, suspension of licences, and a ban on participation in privatisation and public procurement.
