Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed decrees enacting decisions of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on Russian companies and individuals involved in developing the Rassvet satellite communications system, as well as on 39 vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.
The sanctions package targeting the Rassvet system includes 10 companies and 19 Russian nationals associated with them. They are involved in preparations for the launch of the Rassvet system, which Russia plans to use in Ukraine to continue its aggressive and unprovoked war.
Russia aims to develop a satellite system similar to the Starlink network, enabling it to command troops and guide and control attack drones, including Shahed drones, and missiles in real time.
The deployment of this system could allow Russia not only to maintain continuous real-time control over weapons systems in Ukraine but also to pose threats to other countries.
The companies targeted by the sanctions include:
- Bureau 1440 – the developer, coordinator and systems integrator of the Rassvet project.
- Labs 1440 – an entity associated with Bureau 1440 that specialises in manufacturing solar panels for spacecraft.
- FAB Rassvet – develops, manufactures and maintains low-Earth-orbit communications satellites and subscriber terminals.
- AeroCosmic Instruments – a Belarusian company engaged in developing and prototyping components for aerospace systems.
Sanctions have also been imposed on 5S Group, which supplies foreign industrial equipment to Russia and develops industrial computers under the RMatic brand. One such computer was supplied to a sanctioned manufacturer of electronic warfare systems and Orlan drones and used in research and development work for Bureau 1440.
Additional sanctioned companies include:
- Production Association Akvamash – specialises in machining metal products and manufacturing high-precision components.
- El-Optics – supplies, maintains and integrates optical, telecommunications and laser equipment, photonics technologies and quantum communications systems.
- Elesar-Group – supplies Russia with foreign-made electronic components and equipment.
- Small Spacecraft – specialises in developing space technology and ground-based satellite communications equipment.
"Rassvet is Russia's attempt to create its own low-Earth-orbit satellite system and use it in the war against Ukraine and to pose threats to 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, Presidential Adviser and Commissioner for Sanctions Policy.
In addition, Ukraine has introduced another sanctions package targeting Russia's shadow fleet.
The package includes 39 vessels operating under the following flags:
- Russia – 17 vessels
- Barbados – 3
- Liberia – 3
- Marshall Islands – 3
- Panama – 3
- Hong Kong – 2
- Djibouti – 2
- Bahamas – 1
- Equatorial Guinea – 1
- Zimbabwe – 1
- Cameroon – 1
- Palau – 1
- Sierra Leone – 1
These vessels facilitate exports of Russian crude oil, petroleum products and gas condensate, which constitute a major source of revenue for the Russian state budget and are subsequently used to finance the war against Ukraine.
The vessels transport Russian energy products to ports in China, India, Egypt, Türkiye and other countries.
One of these vessels alone, the Vasily Dinkov, carried out 15 shipments of Russian crude oil totalling approximately 726,000 tonnes during the first half of 2026.
Some of the vessels are already subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Switzerland and Australia.
Ukraine will share all relevant information with its partners to ensure full alignment of sanctions across international jurisdictions.
