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Ukraine’s military has signed a letter of intent with Finnish telecom giant Nokia and satellite manufacturer ICEYE to explore the development of a sovereign satellite communications system, seeking greater control over the connectivity it relies on in its war against Russia.
The agreement, announced on October 22, aims to develop a secure, high-performance satellite communications network that Ukraine can control independently.
Ukraine currently relies heavily on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network and Starshield, a military-grade system used by the US government and its allies, for communications and military operations.
ICEYE co-founder and CEO Rafal Modrzewski said Ukraine needed secure and sovereign satellite communications capabilities, adding that his company had supported the country since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Nokia’s chief geopolitical and government relations officer and Nokia Defense chairman Mikko Hautala said satellite networks were essential for maintaining connectivity when ground-based communications infrastructure was disrupted.
The partnership would explore how sovereign satellite communications could strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and give it greater control over the connectivity on which it depends, he added.
The initiative follows concerns over Ukraine’s dependence on foreign-controlled satellite systems, particularly after reports that access to Starshield services was restricted earlier this month.
On October 14, Ukrainian soldiers and officials reported significant restrictions on Starshield access, including speed limits affecting drones equipped with satellite terminals. Some drones reportedly lost connectivity and fell from the sky.
It remains unclear who ordered the restrictions. Some US officials reportedly attributed the decision to SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk, while Musk said Starshield systems were owned and controlled by the US government and that usage restrictions were determined by the US military and ultimately the US president.
The reported restrictions have highlighted the risks of relying on satellite infrastructure controlled by another country, particularly during wartime.
Ukraine uses satellite communications to support military coordination and operate drones over long distances, making reliable connectivity crucial to its battlefield operations.
Nokia and ICEYE had announced plans on October 1 to collaborate on secure, sovereign satellite communications systems for governments and defence customers. Their agreement with Ukraine builds on that broader partnership.
The proposed system remains at the exploratory stage, and the announcement did not provide a timeline for deployment or details of the planned satellite network.
