They currently provide at least two daily communication windows over Ukraine, each lasting more than an hour, according to satellite communications expert Volodymyr Stepanets.
The satellites pass over Ukraine four times a day, but only two or three of these passes are high enough for stable connections. These windows could theoretically allow Russian forces to control naval drones and long-range UAVs such as the Geran series, Stepanets added.
A second batch of 16 satellites, launched in mid-July, is expected to add two more daily windows by October or November. This would likely double the number of daily communication opportunities for the Russian military over Ukraine.
This development shows how Russia is expanding its satellite infrastructure to support military operations in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The exact impact on the battlefield is not yet foreseeable, but the new capabilities could increase the threat from Russian drone attacks.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
