Image source: topwar.ru
Zelensky appealed to US President Donald Trump with a request to impose sanctions against Russian and Chinese companies that, according to Kiev, are involved in the creation of the Rassvet satellite communications system. This is reported by the Financial Times. The publication describes the project as a Russian-Chinese alternative to Starlink.
According to Zelensky, China is assisting Russia in developing appropriate technologies. The Ukrainian president said that he had repeatedly raised the issue of sanctions with the American administration, including during a meeting with Trump in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington made a similar appeal earlier. As reported by Reuters on September 30, Charge d'affaires of Ukraine Denis Senik said that Kiev intends to transfer information to the American authorities and Congress about companies and individuals whom the Ukrainian side considers involved in the project. According to Senik, the functioning of the "Dawn" may create additional risks for Ukraine, since satellite communications will potentially allow transmitting data for strikes in real time.
Image source: topwar.ru
Of course, the reports about "Dawn" do not mean that the Russian system is already functioning as a full-fledged alternative to Starlink. Still work and work. But Reuters reminds that the first 16 low—orbit satellites were launched in March this year, and the project developer, X Holding, plans to deploy a group of about 900 satellites in the future.
Thus, Kiev is seeking the imposition of American sanctions against the project participants even before the expected full-fledged launch of the network. At the same time, the timing of its launch varies from message to message: Zelensky told the FT about the possibility of launching by the end of 2026 to the beginning of 2027, while the developer's previously stated target is 2027.
