Russia unveils plan for homegrown Starlink rival to boost national connectivity

Russia unveils plan for homegrown Starlink rival to boost national connectivity

Russia is gearing up to enter the satellite internet race with a bold plan to launch its own system, dubbed Rassvet (“dawn”), designed to rival Elon Musk’s SpaceX-operated Starlink. According to Dmitry Bakanov, head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the network is expected to be fully operational by 2027, offering high-speed internet access even in the country’s most remote corners.

A domestic answer to Starlink

Starlink, which began rolling out in 2020, currently operates over 9,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, serving more than 9 million users across 150 countries. Yet, the service has not been officially available in Russia. Rassvet aims to fill that gap, with Bakanov showing journalists a Russian-designed terminal on Friday capable of connecting users anywhere in the world.

“It is very important to provide connectivity to all territories that are not covered by terrestrial communication networks,” he said, stressing the role Rassvet will play in bridging Russia’s digital divide. Serial production of the terminals is expected to start before the end of this year.

The Rassvet constellation will include over 300 satellites, ensuring stable coverage nationwide and abroad, including allied countries. Moscow-based aerospace firm Bureau 1440 is leading the project, which officials say will mark a “qualitative leap” in communications for Russia’s far-flung regions.

Strategic and military undertones

The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns in Moscow about Starlink’s role in the Ukrainian conflict. Since 2022, Ukraine has received more than 50,000 Starlink terminals, which Kyiv says are critical for coordinating military operations, drone surveillance, and other logistical support. Musk himself described Starlink as “the backbone of the Ukrainian army,” warning that “their entire front line would collapse if I turned it off.”

Russian officials have repeatedly voiced concerns about the potential weaponization of satellite internet and have reportedly developed electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt Starlink signals. In this context, Rassvet is seen not just as a civilian project, but also a way to reduce reliance on foreign satellite systems that could be used against Russian interests.

Global connectivity ambitions

Beyond military considerations, Rassvet is being framed as a tool for development and connectivity. “Our goal is to reach places where terrestrial networks cannot,” said Sergey Boyarsky, head of the Russian parliament’s information policy committee. By extending access to remote villages, industrial regions, and strategic areas, Moscow aims to showcase its technological self-reliance while opening avenues for allied nations to benefit from the network.

While Rassvet’s deployment is still in its early stages, the project underscores Russia’s ambition to compete with global private players like SpaceX. Analysts suggest that, if successfully implemented, the system could reshape how the country approaches internet access, national security, and international technology rivalry.

For everyday users, the promise of Rassvet offers hope for stable internet in regions where connectivity has long been a challenge. But for observers of the tech and security landscape, the move is also a reminder that satellite networks are no longer just communication tools, they are strategic assets shaping the geopolitical battlefield.

{Source: IOL}

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