Retrospectively entered on 24 September 2026. The timeline date reflects when the development was reported or identified; the event date is stated below when different.

What happened

On 7 September 2026, Janes reported an interview conducted on 4 September with a senior official from Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence. The official said Ukrainian intelligence had recorded Russian forces using the first group of Rassvet satellites for communications over Ukraine for several hours by the end of July. The official also cited 32 serial satellites launched by August, at least six experimental spacecraft and seven additional launches planned in 2026.

Evidence and limitations

This is an attributed Ukrainian intelligence claim reported by Janes, not independently released communications intercepts or an independently verified description of the users or traffic. The official discussed potential applications to reconnaissance and strike drones; the account does not establish that such drone control occurred during the reported sessions.

Assessment

The report is consistent with intermittent orbital coverage and indicates a claimed early operational use case, while leaving terminal deployment, traffic type and military integration unverified.

Why it matters

Observed communications use would be a different milestone from orbital deployment or controlled customer demonstrations.

Sources