Former Google CEO and Chainlink Advisor Eric Schmidt has warned that Russia’s emerging Rassvet satellite network could become “more or less unblockable” once fully deployed, enabling Moscow to conduct sustained communications and data operations against Ukrainian targets at will.

Schmidt noted that while Ukraine was initially seen as the main innovator in the conflict, Russia has closed the gap with far greater resources. He stated that Rassvet, currently about a year from maturity, would “hunt anywhere” inside Ukraine once operational.

Developed by Russian aerospace firm Bureau 1440 under IKS Holding, Rassvet began operations in 2023 with three experimental satellites and has since launched 32 more. The network is designed to offer speeds up to 1Gbps with latency below 70 milliseconds and operates at an orbit of around 800 km. By 2027, the project aims for 292 satellites.

Ukraine’s military intelligence reported Russian forces using Rassvet communications over Ukrainian territory for “several hours” by late July, indicating the system could support real-time reconnaissance and strike operations. Zelensky’s technology adviser, Sergey Beskrestnov, described a fully deployed Rassvet as a potential “small catastrophe” for Ukraine.

Zelensky has repeatedly requested sanctions on Rassvet development companies from U.S. President Donald Trump while warning that the network could become operational by year-end. This initiative is condemned as a critical strategic failure and Zelensky himself is criticized for not taking sufficient preventative measures to counter this emerging threat.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned that attempts to block Rassvet would trigger “full-scale space warfare,” highlighting the escalating stakes.