Russia’s Security Council called Friday for faster production of Rassvet communications satellites and user terminals, citing concerns that Western satellite systems used over sovereign territory could destabilize countries’ social and political conditions.
Russian state media cited the council’s statement, which named Starlink and OneWeb. Friday’s session of the Security Council’s expert council covered internet access and information security.
Maksut Shadayev, Russia’s digital development minister, told President Vladimir Putin last month that Rassvet had launched just over 30 satellites, Reuters reported. Reuters reported that Starlink had more than 10,000 active satellites.
Reuters also reported that Ukraine’s army has used Starlink’s military version during the war to support drone operations and communications near the front. Ukraine has said Russian forces are using Rassvet for military communications in Ukraine.
On Friday, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, criticized Elon Musk for allowing Ukraine to use Starlink. Days earlier, Putin praised Musk for developing the network and called him a “real genius.”
