Ukraine tests European Starlink alternative as Russia plans Chinese-backed satellite network

Testing a European satellite network

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday, 23 August 2026, that Ukraine has started testing an alternative European satellite communication network. In remarks delivered to journalists from Agence France-Presse and other outlets, Zelensky stated that Kiev is actively establishing the new communications project in partnership with an undisclosed European nation. Satellite communications remain essential for command, control, and tactical coordination across frontline sectors in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government plans to continue using SpaceX's Starlink network while simultaneously validating this European system through field tests. Ukrainian officials intend to avoid single-network dependency as orbital connectivity plays a central role in battlefield communications.

We are not just going to wait for the Chinese and Russians to launch their own equivalent of Starlink.

The Russo-Chinese satellite program

The Ukrainian testing phase runs parallel to a rival satellite initiative undertaken by Russian and Chinese engineers. According to Zelensky, Moscow is developing a direct counterpart to Starlink in collaboration with Beijing, establishing a targeted project completion deadline of December 2026. Access to Starlink was terminated for Russian troops operating in Ukraine during 2025 following a decision by SpaceX head Elon Musk. Military analysts observed that cutting off Russian access contributed directly to the success of localized Ukrainian counter-attacks. To overcome this communications deficit and establish independent orbital connectivity, Moscow partnered with Chinese developers to build an alternative constellation.

The Russians are building an equivalent of Starlink with the Chinese. And they think they will have completed this project by December 2026.

Starlink restrictions and cross-border targeting

Alongside testing the European alternative, Kiev continues diplomatic efforts to persuade Elon Musk and United States authorities to approve Starlink usage for strikes inside Russian territory. Musk has shifted his stance regarding Ukraine several times since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The American executive previously maintained regular communications with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whom Zelensky dismissed from his post in July 2026. Musk currently maintains that facilitating strikes on Russian soil would cause a military escalation, though Zelensky expressed optimism that additional strategic arguments could alter that position. Kiev maintains that cross-border strikes are designed to dismantle the specific capabilities that Russia uses to prolong the war.

For now, he said that this would be an escalation. But he might change his mind when he sees more arguments.

Patriot shortages and launcher hunting tactics

The push for expanded strike authorization comes as Moscow deploys increasing numbers of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets. Ukraine faces a severe deficit of interceptor munitions needed to counter these attacks, especially United States-supplied Patriot missiles. This shortage intensified after munitions supplies were constrained following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Confronted with a reduction in anti-ballistic missiles, Ukrainian military planners have adopted a strategy of targeting Russian launch sites located in proximity to the border. Destroying ballistic missile launchers on the ground serves as an alternative method to prevent strikes before missiles can be launched against Ukrainian positions.