Ukraine Hits Dubna Space Communications Center, Russia’s Largest Satellite Teleport

Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Dubna Space Communications Center in Russia’s Moscow region on June 21 and overnight into June 22, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on June 22.

According to the General Staff report, heavy smoke was observed at the facility after the strike. The full scale of damage is still being assessed.

The Dubna Satellite Communications Center is considered Russia’s largest satellite teleport—a major ground hub that connects satellites with terrestrial communication networks. It is a key branch of the Russian Satellite Communications Company and plays an important role in managing satellite links across Russia and abroad.

The facility was established in 1980 by order of the Soviet communications ministry ahead of the Moscow Summer Olympics. Its original mission was to broadcast live television coverage of the games to Europe and across the Atlantic.

After the Olympics, Dubna gained another strategic role during the Cold War, hosting secure government communication channels connecting the Kremlin with Washington, Paris, and London.

The center initially relied on two large antennas: a 12-meter Soviet TNA-57 dish and a 32-meter Japanese NEC MARK-4 antenna designed to work with the international Intelsat network.

Over time, Dubna grew into a major satellite control and broadcast hub. Today, it operates more than two dozen antennas of different sizes, from smaller two-meter dishes to the original 32-meter antenna.

The center is used for telemetry, tracking, and command operations for a large part of Russia’s civilian satellite fleet, including Express-series geostationary satellites.

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In addition, the Dubna Satellite Communications Center serves significant military and state security functions because it operates as a dual-use facility. While its official operator, the Russian Satellite Communications Company, is designated as a civilian and commercial entity, its infrastructure is tightly integrated into Russia’s national defense and strategic intelligence frameworks.

Beyond satellite control, Dubna serves as a major distribution point for Russian state and commercial television broadcasts across multiple time zones.

Despite its large physical footprint, the center is highly automated and reportedly requires only a small on-site team to operate during a standard shift.

Earlier, rocket-powered drones struck the Russian Aerospace Forces’ 40th Command and Measurement Complex, also known as the Center for Deep Space Communications, overnight on September 10 in the village of Vitino, temporarily occupied Crimea.

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