Ukraine seeks its own satellite network after Starlink issues

Meta description: The Ukrainian government signed a letter of intent with Nokia and Iceye to explore its own satellite network, after failures reported in Starshield/Starlink.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine signed a letter of intent with the Finnish companies Nokia and Iceye to study and develop its own satellite network, announced international press during the visit of Finland's prime minister to Ukraine. The initiative arises from the aim to reduce dependence on SpaceX after problems associated with the military version Starshield/Starlink, according to ANSA.

The agreement and the context: Ukraine, Starlink, and the search for autonomy

According to ANSA, the signing occurred in the context of the Finnish prime minister's official visit to Ukraine (October 2026), and formalizes the joint exploration of satellite communications solutions that can be controlled and operated by Kyiv. The explicit motivation of the Ukrainian government is to reduce reliance on foreign private systems, especially after episodes that cast doubt on the operational reliability of the military version of Starlink satellites, known as Starshield, owned by SpaceX.

ANSA reports that Ukrainian authorities want to ensure resilient communications capabilities for military and civilian purposes, avoiding strategic risks associated with a single supplier. The announcement comes as the war and cybersecurity continue to shape state technological choices, as noted by analysts cited by the press.

Characteristics of the technological collaboration: Nokia, Iceye, and LEO satellites

Nokia and Iceye had already announced, at the beginning of October 2026, a collaboration to develop satellite communication systems in low Earth orbit (LEO). According to the statement cited by ANSA, the systems aim to offer broadband, security, and technological sovereignty, with a focus on government clients.

Main technical points and applications highlighted in the announcement:

• infrastructure oriented toward low latency and high performance in LEO;
• emphasis on cybersecurity and national control over assets;
• intended uses: defense and border security, emergency services, disaster management and critical communications for state institutions;
• European technological base, with components and design aimed at reliability and reducing external dependence.

The combination unites Nokia's networking and communications expertise with Iceye's specialization in radar satellite observation and LEO platforms, according to ANSA. The declared objective is to create solutions that can be operated under sovereign control of partner states, including the possibility of integration with land-based command and control infrastructures.

Why Ukraine wants to reduce dependence on Starlink

Dependence on foreign commercial systems raised political and operational concerns in Kyiv, especially in light of public incidents involving limitations or choices made by private suppliers. Ukraine's response, as reported by ANSA, is to seek alternatives that guarantee strategic autonomy — a priority in conflict and emergency situations.

Experts consulted by the international press highlight that satellite networks with national or regional operation and governance allow:

• operational decisions aligned with state security interests;
• mitigation of the risk of interruptions due to business decisions or external pressures;
• greater control over updates, encryption, and hardening against attacks.

Relevance for Brazilian readers and descendants of Italians

The Ukrainian move illustrates a global trend: governments prioritizing autonomy in space communications and partnerships with European companies to reduce geopolitical risks. For readers in Brazil — especially professionals and companies in defense, telecommunications, space, and emergency management — the case points to opportunities and market signals:

• potential demand for suppliers and integrators who master protocols and hardware for LEO;
• openness to international cooperation in dual-use projects (civil and defense);
• need to monitor regulations and security of satellite communications.

Those following technology and security news — and also topics related to life abroad or international opportunities — can consult other Raízes Italianas sections, such as Italy News and topics on Life in Italy, for geopolitical and technological context.

What to watch for

Factors to monitor in the coming months:

• realization of the project between Ukraine, Nokia, and Iceye (financing models, timelines, and operational scope);
• interoperability with existing systems and security certification requirements;
• responses from other global LEO constellation providers and geopolitical implications.

The Ukrainian initiative reflects a shift in priorities: beyond technical capacity, governments seek to ensure sovereignty over the critical layers of satellite communications, a trend that could reshape supplier chains and technological partnerships in Europe and beyond.

Source: ANSA