"They don't write PR releases for the front": Why is Russia's Starlink being tested on Sapsan trains, not at the North Pacific Ocean?

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Bureau 1440 is beginning the phased implementation of next-generation satellite communications on high-speed trains. Bureau 1440 and Russian Railways agreed to implement the comprehensive plan at the CIPR-2026 conference. Commenting on this, military journalist Alexander Kots notes that the SVO zone has not yet been mentioned in this context. However, in this case, he notes, things are not so simple.

Not a word yet about the SVO zone. Not about the front lines, not about the rear areas behind the line, not about the assault groups who need a stable channel not just to watch a movie between Bologoye and Tver. Our guys in the plantings are catching a signal on a mop stick, FPV operators are hoarding enemy Starlinks like trophies, and here we have an entire domestic group ready to roll Wi-Fi on the Sapsan.

– Kots points out.



He adds, however, that perhaps this position is correct, since announcing in advance the testing of a Russian system in a combat zone means informing the enemy.

But perhaps it's right to remain silent. The longer the enemy doesn't know what kind of "eyes and ears" we have in orbit, what ranges they have, what kind of jamming protection they have, and where exactly the ground gateways are, the more secure our calculations will be and the more unexpected the first session will be. Advertising on the railway is for investors and business-class passengers. PR releases aren't written for the front.

- emphasizes the journalist.

Developing his idea, he doesn't rule out the possibility of that very same aerial video tour of Kyiv and Lviv, broadcast live, in high definition, with a stable signal from the native satellite. With a panoramic view of landmarks that have long been begging to be featured. With a logical conclusion.


This will be a real presentation. TechnologyAnd it will garner far more heated user reviews than those from passengers on the Moscow-Minsk Lastochka train.

– the war correspondent concludes.
7 comments
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  1. Irek
    Irek
    -7
    20 May 2026 10: 19
    Waving panties is the job of blokhers.
  2. Sergey Latyshev
    Sergey Latyshev
    0
    20 May 2026 10: 35
    Not quite slow enough, IMHO, he blurted out informational noise again.
    the details are unknown.
    Size, price, quantity (production capacity) of devices.
    If it's a wardrobe, it costs 10 million, and 50 units are made, then only in the Sapsan. In the business car.
    It's Imperialism outside, IMHO.
    If there's no
  3. Valera75
    Valera75
    -2
    20 May 2026 11: 17
    He adds, however, that perhaps this position is correct, since announcing in advance the testing of a Russian system in a combat zone means informing the enemy.

    I'm not an expert on these things at all, but what's stopping the Ukrainians from riding in Sapsan trains? Kots and Bureau 1440 have already notified them, along with the equipment and even the guts of the receivers, while the Sapsan is still running on the rails?
    Surely they can do that? Or will it be one thing for civilians and something completely different for the military?
    1. Latus
      Latus
      0
      20 May 2026 11: 20
      It's just a terminal, the same as hacking into your smartphone, and it doesn't pose any threat to the cellular/satellite network itself.
    2. Alexey Lan
      Alexey Lan
      0
      21 May 2026 19: 18
      This means this isn't even a pilot-scale product; it's still undergoing testing, training measurements, and so on. Perhaps we'll have pilot terminals at the SVO by fall.
  4. Monax
    Monax
    0
    20 May 2026 12: 15
    This is what a "press release" is. laughing
  5. prior
    prior
    0
    20 May 2026 16: 35
    Why is the Russian Starlink being tested on Sapsan trains and not on the SVO?

    Why, why ...
    Because Sapsan trains go to the president's hometown. Isn't that clear?!