Kyivstar PJSC, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, signed a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink to introduce satellite-powered cellular service in the war-torn country in a bid to place telecom infrastructure beyond the reach of Russian attacks.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to give Ukraine “uninterrupted” service through its satellite network through a partnership with Kyivstar (VEON), the country’s largest mobile operator.

Telecoms group VEON has announced a new partnership with Starlink, a division of SpaceX, to bring direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to Ukraine. The deal will see Kyivstar, VEON’s Ukrainian subsidiary, offer these satellite-based connectivity services to its customers across the country.

Before the end of 2025 Ukraine is expecting to be one of the first countries to have the Starlink direct-to-cell satellite service up and running, thereby enhancing the resilience of the country’s connectivity landscape,

In a groundbreaking development, Elon Musk's Starlink is set to launch its innovative direct-to-cell satellite connectivity in Ukraine.

Ukraine's leading mobile operator Kyivstar has signed an agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink to introduce direct-to-cell satellite connectivity, Kyivstar's parent company VEON said on Monday. Direct-to-cell devices are connected to satellites equipped with modems that function like a cellphone tower,

Ukraine's largest telecoms operator said it expects to bring the direct-to-cell service online in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Customers of Ukraine’s largest mobile operator will be able to use space-based connectivity when terrestrial network service is unavailable.