Ukraine sanctions developers of Russia's Rassvet satellite system and 39 shadow fleet vessels
The sanctions list related to the Rassvet project includes 10 companies and 19 Russian citizens who work with them. According to the Office of the President, these entities are involved in developing and preparing to launch a satellite network that Moscow intends to use to continue its war against Ukraine.
Russia views Rassvet as its own alternative to the Starlink satellite system. The system is intended to provide uninterrupted communications and enable the rapid command and control of military units. In particular, it could be used to guide and remotely control attack drones, including Shahed drones, as well as missiles.
"Russia wants to have a satellite system similar to the Starlink network that would enable it to command troops and guide and control attack drones, including Shaheds, and missiles in real time. Deploying this system could help Russia not only maintain continuous, real-time control of its weapons in Ukraine but also pose threats to other countries," the Office of the President said.
The sanctioned companies include those directly developing the satellite system, manufacturers of the necessary equipment, and suppliers of technological components. In particular, the restrictions target:
Particular attention was paid to companies supplying industrial equipment and electronics to Russia's military-industrial sector. These include 5S Group, which supplies Russia with foreign-made equipment and develops industrial computers under the RMatic brand.
According to the Office of the President, one of the computers supplied by the company was received by Orlan, a Russian manufacturer of electronic warfare systems and drones that is already under sanctions. The equipment was subsequently used in research and development work carried out for Bureau 1440.
The sanctions list also includes Akvamash Production Association. The enterprise specializes in metal machining and the manufacture of high-precision parts that can be used in industrial production.
Restrictions have also been imposed on El-Optics, a company that works with optical, telecommunications, and laser equipment. Its activities include supplying, servicing, and integrating photonic technologies and quantum communications systems.
Another company on the list is Elesar-Group, which specializes in supplying Russia with electronic components and foreign-made equipment.
In addition, sanctions have been imposed on Small Spacecraft, a company involved in developing space technology and ground equipment for satellite communications.
"Rassvet is Russia's attempt to create its own low-Earth-orbit satellite system and use it in the war against Ukraine and to threaten the entire world. The project depends on foreign technologies, equipment, and components, so we are targeting these supply chains at the development stage and calling on our partners to align their sanctions," said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the President's adviser and commissioner for sanctions policy.
In addition to restrictions on participants in the satellite project, Ukraine has imposed new sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet. This time, 39 vessels used to transport Russian energy resources have been added to the list.
Most of the vessels sail under foreign flags. Specifically:
According to the Office of the President, these vessels are involved in exporting Russian crude oil, petroleum products, and gas condensate. Energy exports remain one of the key sources of revenue for Russia's state budget. These funds are used, among other things, to finance the war against Ukraine.
Their shipping routes include ports in China, India, Egypt, Türkiye, and other countries. The vessels thus facilitate the supply of Russian energy resources to international markets despite the restrictions imposed on Russia.
The scale of some vessels' operations is illustrated by the example of the Vasily Dinkov. During the first six months of 2026, it carried out 15 shipments of Russian crude oil, transporting approximately 726,000 tonnes of the commodity over that period.
At the same time, some vessels included in Ukraine's new sanctions list are already subject to restrictions imposed by other countries and international blocs. These include sanctions previously introduced by:
Ukraine intends to share the collected information on all 39 vessels with its partners. This is necessary to coordinate sanctions measures and extend restrictions to the relevant vessels across international jurisdictions.
Previous sanctions against Russia
On October 24, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi enacted two decisions by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose sanctions on Russian companies and individuals involved in the production of ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, military aircraft, and other weapons.
On October 12, Zelenskyi also signed decrees enacting NSDC decisions to impose sanctions on Russian entities involved in ballistic missile production, individuals and companies helping circumvent financial sanctions, and those acting in Russia's interests in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
On September 13, Zelenskyi signed three decrees enacting NSDC decisions to impose sanctions. The restrictions target vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, enterprises and individuals linked to the Russian state-owned corporation Rostec, and propagandists who justify Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, President Zelenskyi called on Ukraine's partners to continue increasing sanctions pressure on Russian businesses so they feel the consequences of the war and pressure Russia's leadership to end it. He stressed that Russian businesses and oligarchs who support the machinery of war must not escape the consequences of the aggression.
- Last
News by day
30 of October 2026
