By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Ukraine has agreed to work with Finnish technology companies Nokia and ICEYE to expand its satellite capabilities, as persistent disruptions affecting military communications linked to SpaceX’s Starlink network intensify concerns over Kyiv’s dependence on foreign-controlled technology.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the partnership on Friday, October 23, 2026, following discussions with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo during his visit to Kyiv.
The agreement is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to secure communications and improve the resilience of infrastructure supporting its defence, logistics and energy sectors. It also forms part of Kyiv’s broader effort to reduce vulnerabilities associated with relying on technology controlled by external governments and private companies.
According to reports by Al Jazeera and the German news agency DPA, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and the Finnish companies signed a letter of intent on Thursday to explore cooperation on a sovereign satellite communications system.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would make greater use of Finland’s satellite capabilities, describing the cooperation as important for the country’s defence and resilience.
He also thanked Nokia and ICEYE for their willingness to support Ukraine’s logistics and energy infrastructure, which have remained important targets amid Russia’s continuing invasion.
ICEYE specialises in synthetic aperture radar satellite technology, which enables the collection of Earth-observation data during both day and night and through cloud cover. Such capabilities can provide valuable intelligence and monitoring information in difficult conditions.
Nokia, meanwhile, has expertise in telecommunications infrastructure and defence-related communications technology. The proposed cooperation brings together different capabilities, although the precise technical design, deployment timetable and operational scope of Ukraine’s planned satellite communications system have not yet been fully detailed publicly.
The announcement comes amid continuing problems affecting Starshield, the military-grade satellite communications service associated with SpaceX’s Starlink network.
Ukrainian officials said on Friday that restrictions affecting the service had not been fully resolved, despite US President Donald Trump’s assertion that access had been restored.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian officials reported that speed restrictions introduced in October continued to disrupt connections for some high-speed drones. The limitations have complicated aspects of Ukraine’s military operations, particularly those involving fast-moving unmanned aerial vehicles.
The disruptions reportedly began around October 13, when Ukrainian forces experienced connectivity problems involving terminals operating on fast-moving platforms. Ukrainian officials said some systems lost connectivity when they exceeded specified speed limits.
Starlink and Starshield serve different purposes. Starlink is SpaceX’s commercial satellite internet service, while Starshield is a military-focused offering designed for government and defence applications. Both are associated with SpaceX satellite infrastructure, but the distinction is important when assessing the reported restrictions affecting Ukraine’s military operations.
The precise circumstances surrounding the restrictions have remained disputed. The episode has nevertheless exposed the risks that can arise when a country’s critical communications depend on infrastructure controlled by a foreign commercial provider.
Satellite connectivity has become increasingly important in Ukraine’s war against Russia, helping maintain communications where conventional telecommunications infrastructure has been damaged or is unavailable. It also supports coordination among military units operating across dispersed positions.
The technology has taken on additional importance as drone warfare has expanded on both sides of the conflict. Reliable communications are essential for coordinating certain drone operations, although satellite systems are only one component of the wider technological infrastructure used by the military.
Ukraine’s effort to expand its satellite capabilities is therefore not simply a technology investment. It is also a strategic attempt to improve control over systems that can affect national security during a prolonged conflict.
The proposed Finnish partnership does not, however, mean Ukraine is immediately abandoning Starlink. Zelenskyy had said earlier in October that Kyiv was not seeking to replace the service outright but was pursuing additional capabilities with partner countries to reduce its dependence on any single source of support.
The distinction is significant because developing and deploying an independent satellite communications network requires substantial investment, technical expertise, ground infrastructure and time. A letter of intent marks a step towards cooperation, but it does not by itself establish that a complete replacement network is ready for military use.
Ukraine’s initiative also reflects a wider European debate over strategic dependence on satellite communications infrastructure. European leaders have acknowledged that existing regional capabilities cannot fully replace Starlink in the short term, prompting calls for greater investment in secure communications and independent space technology.
TheDailyNewsHub previously reported on European efforts to develop satellite alternatives as concerns over Starlink dependence grow. Those discussions have included cooperation between telecommunications operators and efforts to expand European satellite capacity.
For Ukraine, the immediate priority remains maintaining reliable communications while defending against Russian attacks. The partnership with Nokia and ICEYE could contribute to longer-term resilience, but its practical impact will depend on how quickly the proposed cooperation develops into deployable systems and services.
Until alternative capabilities are operational at the necessary scale, Ukraine is likely to remain reliant on existing satellite services alongside other communications and intelligence support from international partners.