The Russian government has issued a decree, signed on April 29, that prohibits the import of certain satellite communication devices. Specifically, the measure targets foreign satellite terminals — radio-electronic equipment designed to transmit and/or receive signals from satellites — unless those devices have obtained frequency band allocations from the State Radio Frequency Commission. The ruling narrows the pathway for external satellite hardware to enter the country, placing regulatory clearance at the center of any future imports.
Among the products affected by the new regulation are the popular consumer terminals from Starlink, produced by SpaceX. The network has been prominent in the conflict context: Ukraine has made widespread operational use of that satellite network, and Russian forces had also relied on the service at times. In February a large number of terminals reportedly fell offline at the front after they were introduced into Russian-controlled areas through unofficial channels. Later, in March, Moscow launched the first satellites of the Rassvet system, presented by authorities as a domestic analog to foreign satellite internet constellations.
Details of the import ban
The decree explicitly bars importing radio-electronic devices that are built to work with foreign communications satellites when those devices have not received the required clearances from the national regulator. The reference to clearances relates to technical coordination of spectrum use — what the decree calls frequency band allocations — which the State Radio Frequency Commission must grant. The measure covers equipment linked to both civilian and so-called dual-use satellites, meaning systems with potential military and civilian applications.
What counts as a terminal
Under the new wording, a single category spans a range of hardware: portable user terminals, fixed rooftop dishes, and other consumer or professional modems are all included if they transmit to or receive from foreign spacecraft. The law’s focus is technical: if a device interfaces with an external satellite network and lacks regulatory spectrum approval, it falls under the ban. This approach allows authorities to control which satellite services can operate in Russian airwaves by conditioning market access on state frequency coordination.
Operational consequences and recent developments
The immediate practical impact touches both military and civilian users. Starlink terminals have been a notable communications workaround for forces and field units in conflict zones; restricting imports complicates the logistics of acquiring those terminals and maintaining networks that depend on them. Russian forces experienced widespread outages in February when many units lost access to imported terminals that had bypassed customs procedures. Meanwhile, Moscow’s deployment of Rassvet satellites in March signals an attempt to substitute foreign services with domestically controlled infrastructure.
Domestic alternatives and technical hurdles
Building a homegrown satellite internet constellation and ecosystem faces technical and regulatory challenges. Satellites must be integrated into a coordinated spectrum plan, and user terminals require compatible protocols and licensing. The state’s insistence on frequency band allocations reflects both technical necessity and a desire for oversight: without allocated bands, transmissions could interfere with other services or fail to meet national security checks. The Rassvet system is being promoted as an alternative, but scaling a reliable, low-latency network comparable to established commercial constellations will demand time and investment.
About this article and translation
This piece was produced by a living journalist at Meduza and translated from Russian using an AI model configured to follow the outlet’s editorial guidelines. An editor at Meduza reviews every draft to ensure accuracy and context. The translation process is intended to deliver timely English-language coverage while adhering to the publication’s standards for clarity and reliability. If you notice any errors in the translation, Meduza asks readers to reach out at [email protected]. To receive Meduza’s exclusive English content, consider subscribing to the newsletter mentioned on the site.
In summary, the April 29 decree tightens control over which satellite communication devices can legally enter Russia by linking imports to state-granted spectrum approvals. The move affects internationally supplied equipment like Starlink terminals, creates incentives for domestic projects such as Rassvet, and underscores the technical and regulatory dimensions of modern satellite-based connectivity.