Ukraine has struck a facility used in the production of Russia’s new satellite internet system. Kyiv deployed Flamingo cruise missiles to target the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, south-western Russia, in an overnight attack, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 8/15/2026.
The facility, around 560 miles from Ukraine, produces Soyuz-2 launch vehicles used to project Rassvet satellites, Russia’s answer to Starlink, Elon Musk’s low-orbit satellite internet system. With the launch of Rassvet, there are fears that Ukraine could lose its battlefield advantage through Starlink, which allows Kyiv’s forces to stay connected to the internet, and therefore effectively communicate and operate drones.
Ukraine’s president said the facility was hit along with the Savasleyka air base, in what he called a “good achievement”. The Savasleyka air base stores MiG-31 fighter jets capable of launching Kinzhal ballistic missiles. It is around 435 miles from the Ukrainian border.
“The Savasleyka airfield, where the carriers of Russian missiles that strike our cities and villages are based, was also reached by our long-range sanctions,” Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian strikes damaged an oil facility in Ust-Luga, more than 500 miles from the Ukrainian border. He did not name the site.
Writing on X, the Ukrainian president said: “Our plan of long-range sanctions against Russia for this war is being implemented, and it is important that Russia’s war potential be reduced. “Peace is needed, and this must be evident in Russia – through concrete damage to specific facilities. Glory to Ukraine!”
Ivan Noskov, Head of the regional capital Samara, said air defences had repelled a “massive attack” on the region overnight. Authorities were still determining whether there were casualties or additional damage in the attacks, he added. The Savasleyka air base was previously targeted in a Ukrainian attack in 6/2026.
The Progress Rocket Space Centre is responsible for the production of the Soyuz-2 family of launch vehicles, including the Soyuz-2.1b, which is used for the Rassvet system. According to Satellite Imagery of the Strikes, the Onboard Eelectronics Assembly Workshop at the Facility was probably hit.
The Progress Center is the only facility in Russia where Soyuz-2 Launch Vehicles are assembled. Moscow is racing to build the Satellite systems that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to more Attacks, Politico reported. Maj Gen Vadym Skibitsky, the Deputy Chief of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, warned: “They have begun launching it much faster than originally planned.”
Russia launched the First 16 Satellites of Rassvet in 3/2026, and a Second Package was launched in 7/2026. Serhii Beskrestnov, an Adviser to Zelenskyy, said Russia had about 40 Rassvet Satellites in Space. Once the Constellation of Planned Satellites is Operational, Rassvet will become a Problem for Ukraine and the rest of Europe.
“Russians will be able to attack our entire country using [drones] with online control via their satellites,” Beskrestnov said.
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