Conflict & Security
Starlink alternative being tested by Ukraine, Zelensky says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has begun testing an alternative to Starlink with a European country, while Russia is trying to build its own equivalent with China.
Starlink, the satellite system controlled by Elon Musk, is used for battlefield communications in the Ukraine war. Zelensky said in remarks made public on August 23 that Russia and China believe their project will be ready by December 2026.
Ukraine “would not just sit and wait for Russia and China”, Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv was implementing a similar project with a European country.
Ukraine is also seeking authorisation from Musk and the US administration to use Starlink satellites for operations in Russian territory. Zelensky said Musk believed allowing Starlink coverage over Russia would be an escalation, while Ukraine argued it could help shorten the war.
Zelensky also said Kyiv was trying to strike Russian ballistic missile launchers as Moscow increased its use of ballistic missiles. He said Ukraine received 675 Patriot missiles in 2023, 364 in 2025 and 264 in 2026. Ballistic missiles can effectively only be destroyed by US-designed Patriot systems.
Uncertainty notes
The European country working with Ukraine on the Starlink alternative was not identified.
The status and capability of Russia's claimed project with China are based on Zelensky's account.
Authorisation for Ukrainian Starlink operations in Russian territory has not been granted in the supplied material.
Source
AFP news report published on .