Ukraine considers independent satellite system as Starlink problems persist | Russia-Ukraine War
Ukraine to partner with Finnish companies as Starshield’s problems, begun amid mockery between Trump and Zelensky, continue.
Published on October 23, 2026
Ukraine announced plans to build an independent satellite communications system as it reported problems affecting the U.S.-operated Starshield system persisted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that his country had agreed to partner with Finnish companies to develop the system. On the same day, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry complained of continuing problems with Starshield’s military services.
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US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that tech mogul Elon Musk had restored access to satellite internet service, which plays a key role in the war effort and kyiv’s air defense.
Ukraine is exploring its military defense options as Russian attacks have intensified in recent months and questions about support from the Trump administration have multiplied.
Zelensky reported Friday that he agreed with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo that “(Ukraine) will make greater use of Finland’s satellite capabilities. This is important for our defense, for Ukraine’s resilience.”
“We agreed on this with Nokia and ICEYE. Thank you for your willingness to support our logistics and energy sector – these are currently key goals for Russia,” Zelenskyy added.
Finnish companies signed a letter of intent with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Thursday during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to kyiv, DPA news agency reported.
ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski said in a statement that Ukraine needs a secure satellite communications system that it controls. The company said its satellites provide reconnaissance data regardless of the weather or time of day.
On October 13, Ukrainian officials announced that sudden restrictions on Starlink services had left the country’s military in a state of disarray. Although the system came back online, connectivity reportedly remained spotty.
Questions persist about the origins of the decision to restrict access, with Musk and Trump administration officials trading blame. The restrictions came amid a growing feud between Trump and Zelensky, with Trump considering talks with Putin instead.
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source told reporters on Friday that “cases of signal loss are still observed” regarding Starshield, the military branch of Musk’s Starlink system.
The system’s role has become increasingly central in Ukraine’s defense against Russian invasion.
The war which has lasted four and a half years is dominated by drone warfare. Ukraine recently launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia in one of the largest aerial attacks of the war in kyiv, while Starshield also plays a key role in defense as Russia rains bombs daily on kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.
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