Ukraine is working with an unspecified European country to develop its own satellite communications system as an alternative to Starlink. Testing has already begun, although the project’s technical specifications and partner country have not been disclosed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the project during a conversation with journalists, according to BBC News Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would continue using SpaceX’s Starlink system while simultaneously developing a European alternative. He noted that the project had already entered the practical testing stage.
“We have started testing it,” the president said without providing further details.
Zelenskyy linked the development of the new system to Russia’s plans to create its own satellite constellation in cooperation with China. According to the Ukrainian side, Russia expects its Starlink alternative to be ready by December 2026.
The BBC suggested that Zelenskyy may have been referring to Russia’s “Rassvet” project, which Moscow stepped up during 2026.
It was previously reported that Ukrainian defense company Fire Point launched two satellites this year. The company’s owner and chief designer, Denys Shtilerman, said it planned to place several dozen more satellites into orbit in 2027.
Zelenskyy did not specify whether Fire Point was involved in the joint European satellite communications project.
