Ex-Google CEO Warns: Russia’s ‘Starlink Rival’ Rassvet Could Let Moscow ‘Hunt Anywhere’ in Ukraine

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has issued a stark warning about Russia’s rapidly developing satellite internet network, known as Rassvet (Russian for “Dawn”). Once fully operational, the system could give Russian forces the ability to locate and strike targets across Ukraine with near-impunity, he told The Economist.

Speaking last week, Schmidt observed that while Ukraine initially led in battlefield innovation, Russia has closed much of that gap and now leverages its superior resources. One critical domain is Rassvet. “Once that network is in place, it is more or less unblockable,” Schmidt said. This would allow Russian forces to “hunt anywhere” inside Ukraine.

What Is Rassvet?

Rassvet is Russia’s low-Earth-orbit broadband satellite constellation, widely described as a domestic rival to SpaceX’s Starlink. Developed by the private aerospace firm Bureau 1440 (part of IKS Holding), the system aims to deliver high-speed internet, up to 1 Gbps with latency below 70 milliseconds from an orbit of around 800 km.The project began with experimental satellites launched in 2023 and 2024. In 2026, Russia placed two batches of 16 operational satellites into orbit (March and July), bringing the total in space to several dozen. Coverage remains intermittent for now, limited to brief daily windows as satellites pass over Ukraine. Some technical challenges, including difficulties reaching the intended operational altitude, have been reported.

Unlike Starlink, which is banned in Russia and was restricted for unauthorized Russian use in Ukraine earlier this year, Rassvet is designed as a sovereign system. It serves both civilian needs (broadband for remote regions) and military purposes, resilient command-and-control links, drone guidance, and real-time targeting data that are harder for adversaries to jam or switch off.

Russia’s Deployment Plans

Moscow is accelerating the rollout beyond original timelines. Officials and Ukrainian intelligence report plans for roughly 250–292 satellites by 2027, enough to begin commercial and military operations with more continuous coverage. Longer-term targets include 700–900 or more satellites by the early-to-mid 2030s.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Chinese technology or components may be helping speed development. Once denser, the constellation would reduce Russia’s reliance on vulnerable ground networks or foreign systems and restore the kind of persistent connectivity that Starlink has long provided Ukrainian forces.

The Stakes for Ukraine

Starlink has been a decisive advantage for Kyiv since 2022, enabling battlefield communications, drone operations, and coordination even when terrestrial networks are destroyed. Russian forces briefly exploited grey-market Starlink terminals until SpaceX disabled unauthorized access in early 2026 at Ukraine’s request, a move that disrupted Russian assaults.

A mature Rassvet would reverse that dynamic. Ukrainian officials describe it as a potential “game-changer,” enabling real-time targeting of Ukrainian positions and assets deep inside the country.How Ukraine and the West Are RespondingKyiv is pushing hard on multiple fronts:Sanctions pressure: Ukraine has urged the United States to sanction Russian entities (and any Chinese partners) supporting Rassvet, arguing that without restrictions the network could become operational by late 2026 or early 2027. Ukraine is also preparing its own national sanctions.

Expanded Starlink Access: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others have asked for permission to use Starlink over Russian territory and occupied areas so Ukrainian drones can strike ballistic-missile launchers, oil infrastructure, and other high-value targets. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has publicly supported the idea. Schmidt called this “really a political decision” for the U.S. government.

Indigenous capabilities: Ukraine has announced work on its own Starlink-like satellite system that Kyiv would fully control.

Kinetic and electronic measures: Ukrainian forces continue strikes on Russian space-related infrastructure and electronic warfare efforts against existing Russian links.

Russia will not sit back and tolerate

Dmitry Medvedev warned that attempts to block or destroy Rassvet could trigger a “war in space,” with Starlink satellites potentially targeted in retaliation. Looking Ahead, Rassvet remains is developing its reach to compete with Starlink’s constellation of more than 10,000 satellites. Technical hurdles and the need for rapid launches persist. Yet both Ukrainian intelligence and Western observers treat its progress as a serious strategic threat.

As Schmidt noted, the arrival of an unblockable Russian satellite network would mark another shift in a war increasingly defined by technology, autonomy, and the control of space-based communications. Whether sanctions, accelerated Western support, or Ukraine’s own satellite ambitions can blunt that advantage remains an open question. However Putin would be keen to get this new avenue of attrition up and running quickly, to finally devastate the western led Starlink control of space.