Russia building its own Starlink – and faster than expected

Russia is rolling out its own version of the Starlink satellite internet system faster than expected and plans to have nearly 300 satellites in orbit by 2027, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official. SpaceX’s Starlink network, which operates in Ukraine but not Russia, has given Kyiv a major advantage in drone operations and battlefield communications. Once Russia deploys a full satellite constellation, the system will operate like StarlinkIn an interview with Ukrainian media outlet RBC-Ukraine, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi said Russia currently has 16 satellites in its Rassvet system. However, Russia plans to create a constellation of 292 satellites by 2027 and 924 by 2035, he added. “Once Russia deploys a full satellite constellation, the system will operate like Starlink.