Ukraine is urging the US to impose sanctions on companies linked to Russia’s "Rassvet" satellite program. Meanwhile, the US Department of the Treasury has imposed restrictions on the A7 financial network, which facilitated billions of dollars in international transactions. Members of Congress are also calling on the Donald Trump administration to apply new sanctions legislation and continue military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine calls on the US to impose sanctions on companies linked to the Russian satellite program
Ukraine urges the administration of US President Donald Trump and Congress to impose sanctions on Russian companies and entities involved in developing the "Rassvet" satellite program. Kyiv warns that once the system is deployed, Russia could gain the ability to detect and strike targets within Ukraine in real time. Denys Senik, Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires in the US, stated that Russia is actively increasing the number of satellites needed for the constellation to function fully. According to him, Ukraine has already briefed the US administration and American lawmakers on the program.
"If they launch 'Rassvet' by the end of 2026 or early 2027, they will be able to strike targets in Ukraine in real time. This will pose a major challenge for us. And we must also understand that this is not just about Ukraine," Senik said.
Ukrainian diplomats are calling for sanctions against entities that have been working on this program for at least a year and are not yet subject to U.S. restrictions.
"There are measures that can be taken to impose sanctions and other steps regarding this issue—and action must be taken promptly. This is the message we are conveying to our partners," a Ukrainian representative stated.
At the same time, Kyiv is requesting access to satellite capabilities covering Russian territory. "For self-defense purposes, Ukraine needs access to relevant satellite capabilities over Russian territory—capabilities it currently lacks," he said.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the A7 system, through which Russia processed billions of dollars
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the A7 financial network, which is linked to Russia and used for international payments. According to the U.S. agency, the system operated through a network of sub-agents and was used to evade sanctions and move funds through the international financial system. The U.S. Treasury designated A7 as a transnational criminal organization and blocked the network's property and interests in property located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons. The Department also announced additional measures regarding transactions involving A7 sub-agents.
According to the U.S. Treasury, as of January 2026, A7 reported over two thousand transactions daily, with a total transaction volume exceeding 7.5 trillion rubles, or approximately $91.5 billion. A separate investigation by the Financial Times found that more than $6.9 billion flowed through the international banking system via a network linked to A7 between late 2024 and August 2025. Shell companies and falsified trade documents were used to process payments and conceal the true nature of the transactions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: "The U.S. Treasury is dismantling the financial infrastructure that allows Iran and other adversaries to evade sanctions, move illicit funds, and undermine the integrity of the global financial system."
Trump stated that Ukraine did not receive some munitions due to a lack of necessary aircraft
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine did not receive a portion of U.S. munitions because it lacked the aircraft and other equipment needed to use them. He made these remarks in an interview with Timemagazine. According to Trump, the munitions in question were highly powerful. The U.S. President also stated that his administration had been building up munitions stockpiles over the preceding six months.
"There are munitions that President Zelenskyy didn't take, but they are very powerful munitions. He didn't take them because he didn't have the aircraft and other things needed for those munitions," Trump said.
He also blamed former U.S. President Joe Biden for the munitions shortage, noting that Biden had transferred significant quantities of them to Ukraine. At the same time, Trump dismissed US Department of Defense reports regarding an ammunition shortage as "fake news." When asked about the possibility of resuming strikes on Iran following the US congressional elections, Trump replied, "Maybe."
Pentagon has contracted 99.8% of $400 million in aid to Ukraine
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said, that the Pentagon had obligated 99.8% of the $400 million allocated by the U.S. Congress for aid to Ukraine. According to him, Department of Defense officials provided this information on September 29, the day before the fiscal year ended. The Pentagon had previously obligated $307 million and planned to finalize the remaining $93 million by the deadline. At the time this information was released, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington had not confirmed the data.
Coons criticized the Pentagon for allocating the funds at the very last minute.
"The fact that they are finally doing this—literally on the last possible day—tells you everything you need to know about this relationship. They don't keep us informed in a timely manner. They aren't following the law, and the partnership is struggling," he said.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen also stated that the Pentagon was not providing lawmakers with information on whether the funds had been used according to plan. She called for increased aid to Ukraine, saying:
"It is outrageous that this administration [Donald Trump's] refuses to spend funds on Ukraine as Congress intended. They need to spend not just that $400 million to help Ukraine with the weapons it needs to end this unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine. If we don't do this now, the Russians will attack NATO countries."
S Congress Members Urge Trump to Fully Implement Graham’s Russia Sanctions Act
The co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus have called on the Donald Trump administration to strengthen sanctions against Russia and fully implement Lindsey Graham’s legislation regarding sanctions on Russia and Iran. The statement was issued amidst reports of a potential easing of certain sanctions against Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Congressional representatives stated their opposition to such an approach and said they expect the administration to impose new sanctions. The first statutory deadline for the new sanctions is October 18.
"Two weeks ago, Congress passed the most significant piece of legislation regarding sanctions against Russia since 2017. As Russia’s full-scale invasion—aimed at subjugating Ukraine and threatening our European allies—continues, the United States must take all necessary measures to stop war criminal Vladimir Putin," the statement reads.
The caucus co-chairs stated that they expect the administration to roll out the first round of new sanctions by October 18. They also urged Trump to increase economic pressure on Russia. The statement emphasizes that sanctions legislation must be enforced while Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues.
Photo: Getty Images
Author: Danylo Pievchev