Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite service has officially gone live in Ukraine, the first deployment of the technology anywhere in Europe.
Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, rolled out the service this week through its partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink and parent company VEON. The initial launch enables SMS messaging via satellite directly to standard 4G smartphones, with voice and data services planned for 2026.
Kyivstar serves approximately 22.5 million mobile subscribers, and the service is being offered at no additional cost to customers with compatible 4G smartphones. Coverage extends across most of Ukraine, excluding occupied areas, active combat zones, and some sensitive border regions.
For a country battling ongoing infrastructure damage and repeated power outages, the implications are significant. Instead of relying solely on vulnerable ground-based cell towers, Kyivstar subscribers can now connect through Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites when terrestrial networks are offline or severely degraded.
The service is designed for use during prolonged blackouts, in remote regions, and in recently de-occupied areas where mobile infrastructure may still be damaged or under repair. It is also intended to support emergency responders, humanitarian missions, and businesses operating in hard-hit regions.
“In Ukraine, staying connected means staying safe,” said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “To ensure this, we have equipped our network with batteries and generators, providing up to 10 hours of continuous coverage when the grid power is not available due extended blackouts. With the introduction of cutting-edge direct-to-cell technology, we are enhancing this resilience significantly, starting with a vital functionality that is critical for our people.”
Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, called the launch a landmark step for the country’s communications infrastructure.
“Ukraine ranks first among European countries launching direct-to-cell technology. This is an important step in developing infrastructure that will ensure connectivity even in areas without traditional networks,” Fedorov said. “Despite all the challenges of wartime — constant Russian attacks on infrastructure, blackouts, and network damage — we continue to advance innovative solutions, because reliable connectivity under any circumstances remains one of our key priorities.”
Starlink highlighted the humanitarian and commercial impact of the move.
“Delivering the first Starlink direct-to-cell service in Europe in partnership with Veon and Kyivstar is an incredible milestone. It’s powering life-saving connectivity for Ukrainians, supporting business operations and unlocking a new way to keep people and communities connected when they need it most,” said Stephanie Bednarek, Starlink VP of commercial sales.
While Starlink has long played a vital role in Ukraine through its traditional satellite internet terminals — with more than 50,000 units reportedly active across the country — direct-to-cell technology removes the need for dedicated hardware, allowing everyday smartphones to link directly with satellites in orbit.
