Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns on October 8 about the potential for Russia to gain access to a satellite network similar to Starlink, the high-speed internet service provided by SpaceX. He warned that China may be helping Russia develop an equivalent system, which could give Moscow a strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has relied on Starlink terminals to provide internet connectivity for its military and to control drones, a capability that has significantly aided its defense efforts. Russia has also tried to use Starlink but was restricted from accessing it in early 2024 due to a "whitelist" system that only allows approved users. Despite these restrictions, there have been reports that some Russian forces have obtained Starlink equipment, and attempts to sabotage these systems have been recorded, including in Poland. Zelensky has repeatedly called for U.S. assistance to help Ukraine "control the sky," emphasizing that such support would force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a settlement. He argued that providing this help would lead to Putin's downfall within a few months. While European countries are working on their own satellite networks, Zelensky noted that they are not yet advanced enough to offer immediate support to Ukraine. On the Russian side, a satellite network is in development, though it is still in its early stages. A company called Bureau 1440 is launching Rassvet, a group of low-orbit satellites designed to mimic Starlink. The company launched 16 satellites in March 2026 and 16 more in July. Bureau 1440 plans to deploy over 250 satellites before offering a commercial service in 2027, though this timeline has been delayed. Some of the satellites launched have struggled to stay in orbit, with a few re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. Zelensky mentioned in an interview with the Financial Times that China is assisting Russia with the Rassvet project. He previously asked former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies involved in the effort. The development of such satellite networks by both Russia and its allies highlights the growing importance of space-based technology in modern warfare and global politics.