Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that the country is advancing its Rassvet satellite constellation to enable long-range control of heavy military drones. The system, developed by Bureau 1440, is designed to function similarly to Starlink but with capabilities potentially exceeding it in certain areas, particularly for military use. Initial satellites were launched in 2023 under the Rassvet-1 mission for testing, followed by more advanced prototypes in 2024 under Rassvet-2 that supported 5G NTN standards and inter-satellite laser links.

In March 2026, 16 satellites were launched to form the core of the operational network, despite a three-month delay due to production issues. The federal 'Internet Access Infrastructure' project outlines a phased deployment: 156 satellites by 2026, 292 by 2027 for full commercial service, and 318 by 2028. Over 900 could be deployed by 2035 if needed. Even with delays, the initial deployment will restore robust, space-based communication for Russian military operations.

Rassvet terminals use active phased array technology like Starlink, enabling automatic satellite tracking and stable connections. Bureau 1440 has completed the base terminal design and is preparing for mass production. Specialized versions are in development for aviation and high-speed rail, including a prototype for trains moving up to 400 km/h. The system represents a significant upgrade in Russia’s secure, resilient military communications infrastructure.