After it was discovered that Russia had been using Starlink to control drones in the Ukraine war, it seems that they got to work after seeing that Elon Musk supports the Slavic country led by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Instead of using the SpaceX service, Vladimir Putin’s government is creating your own 4G/5G satellite internet network with a different method that could give more stability in the connections, especially for communications and military surveillance (apparently).
Unlike the traditional method used in the United States with multiple satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)the interesting Russian design called Argus from Stratolink It is positioned in the stratosphere and focuses on the use of a single giant drone.
Argus: the Russian pseudo-satellite that redefines electronic warfare
Why Stratolink? Of course, by «stratosphere» and, Starlink?, it is more than evident that it is a Russian project that seeks to achieve the same capabilities and even surpass the features that SpaceX offers with its satellites of high speed internet.
From TASS, they share that this project continues to attract the attention of experts because it continues in development at an impressive speed and now enters testing phase in spring 2026 in it Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CUST).
The Argus stratospheric UAV incorporates highly advanced functions that could provide other additional advantages, such as positioning of solar panels and hydrogen batteries to stay in the air for weeks (approximately 40 days) at altitudes of 15 to 24 km.
«This spring, the company Stratolink (resident of CUST) will launch a prototype of the stratospheric UAV, the Argus. The demonstrator will have a small wing. Flight tests of this aircraft are required to check the aerodynamic design and other engineering solutions.»
Another important point to highlight is that it is not considered a satellite, nor is it a drone as such, but a pseudo-satellite HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station). Basically, a hybrid that allows you to adapt in the best way to conflicts.
Regarding its characteristics, it is speculated that the wingspan is 40 meterswhile the maximum load is 40 kg. The structural composition is light, with tactical methods to react on movement in the stratosphere to GPS or satellite conflicts.
What can you do? Mainly, the stable 4G and 5G internet. This is enough to provide high-definition video transmission, control drones remotely and be a «jammer» for enemy systems.
How would Argus impact the Ukraine conflict?
The height at which it remains is a strategic point where most of Ukraine’s air defense systems are not located there, being almost inaccessible for attacks with Igla or Verba.
Indeed, the only way to bring it down would be with long-range missiles such as the S-300 or the Patriotbut making constant use of this weapon requires too large an economic investment, when the Argus is a low-cost UAV.
It would practically be like investing millions of euros for something worth thousands. This would change the course of the war because the Russian country would have a greater ability to act in blocking military signals and communications.
Ukraine would have to look for new ways to increase defenses in these sectors to cope with the opponent’s new technological independence.