STEP-LANDMARK for the independence of telecommunications in Ukraine, but also a new area of dependence on Elon Mask is the beginning of service tests Satellite messages directly to the mobile (directly to the cell)By The largest mobile phone of the countryin cooperation with the network StarlinkField
New network for mountains and rural areas
The test began last week and allows mobile phones that support 4G or LTE to directly connect to its companions Starlink In orbit to send and receive messages without the need to cover the land.
It is expected that the network will completely grow by the middle of -2026, offering Access to telecommunications even to the most remote or mountainous areas Ukraine.
Despite the fears to strengthen the dependence on Elon Mask, experts who talked with EURONEWS Next They talk about a “close -knit strategic choice” among the war.
“It is obvious that there are problems of digital sovereignty when you depend on one supplier, such as Starlink … But dominance is currently the second priority. The first is the victory in the war, ”he said Dario Garcia de VidmaDigital policy researcher in Spanish Institute ElkanoField
“Ukraine lost to sovereignty to win the war – like Europe.”
Maximum dependence on Starlink
Net Starlinkconsisting of more than 7.800 satellites At a height approximately 550 km.Provides high -speed satellite Internet with a range, which exceeds the potential of traditional ground networks.
“The receivers are relatively small, the size of the book and, therefore, are easily transported” – Jan Frederick Slyzhkerman (Jan Frederick Slizhkerman)Strategic analyst of telecommunications sector in I thinkField
“Starlink has an excellent connection, good tolerance and reasonable prices for broadband access.”
In the early days of the Russian invasion Mikhailo Fedorov (Mikhailo Fedorov)The Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine turned to the musk for Starlink terminals, which were delivered in just six days.
Since then 50,000 Starlink terminals used to remain a bound critical infrastructure, for example hospitals, schools and railwaysEven during periods of disconnection from Russian blows, according to the Fedorov briefing in April.
Starlink also supports operations of the Ukrainian army, as in the case of a mission Aerorozvidka in 2022, ensuring continuous work Delta -Boy and Information SystemEven without electricity.
“The dependence of Starlink is already extreme,” Garcia admits and look. “If Ukrainian forces do not begin to communicate with … tobacco or pigeons, there is no way to win a war without communication.”
Elon Musk “Trap”
In March, information was published that Mask Explores the opportunity forbid Starlink receivers in Ukraine, trying to push Kyiv to complete Agreement for 500 billion US dollars With the then US President Donald Trumpfor rare land.
Musk then denied what kind of possibility, saying that saying that “Never turn off the terminals’regardless of political disagreements with Ukraine, and He will never use his network as “negotiating”Field
Differentiation is necessary
According to Garcia, the agreement with Kidstar may work How “lock” musk means to sell: If Starlink Reaps Commercial advantages through private users will be more difficult to stop services.
However, analysts agree that Ukraine should design Plan b For her telecommunication safety.
“Relying on Starlink is just a risk – and I do not know if there are new guarantees,” Slairman. “Alternative development is a logical strategy.”
The solution is like Garcia Starlink -kyivstar restriction only in inaccessible areasThus, in cities, users can save access to the 4G or LTE network as a backup.
Another possible way out is to conclude agreements with European alternativessuch as Franco -Brith -Evulsat or new European program Iris²Field
However, as Slachterman notes, Starlink was still successful in the number of satellites, business models and users who July 2025 is estimated at 6 millionField
Dilemma for Kyiv and Brussels Yasna: Starlink satellite communication is necessary for the survival of the state and the military mechanism, but this entails A new form of dependencePolitical and technological.
Europe with its own programs and investments is designed to fill in these strategic gaps – before they become irreversible.