Space has become a critical front line in the war in Ukraine, with satellite networks and launch sites targeted as Kyiv seeks alternatives to Elon Musk’s Starlink following recent data restrictions, The Guardian reported.
Early on 15 August, Ukrainian missiles struck the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, a Russian facility that manufactures Soyuz-2 rockets used to deploy the Rassvet satellite system, according to The Guardian. The attack highlighted how modern warfare increasingly relies on orbital assets for communications and battlefield intelligence.
The urgency for independent systems intensified after speed caps on Starlink and its military variant, Starshield, disrupted drone missions between 14 October and 24 October, Euromaidan Press reported, citing adviser Serhii Beskrestnov and the Defense Ministry. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of independent infrastructure, stating, “Modern warfare has proven that reliable communications are a matter of national security,” as reported by UK Defence Journal.
To reduce reliance on commercial providers, Ukraine is pursuing sovereign satellite capabilities. On 1 October, the Obria Nano test satellite launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of a collaboration between Ukrainian defense tech firm Himera and Denmark’s GomSpace, according to Newsweek and Euromaidan Press.
Finland's ICEYE and Nokia signed a letter of intent with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense on 22 October to explore building a sovereign broadband low Earth orbit network, with the first Finnish-backed satellites expected to launch in 2028, as detailed by UK Defence Journal and Newsweek.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to develop its Rassvet network—having deployed more than 30 satellites, according to Newsweek—while utilizing near-space Oreshnik ballistic missiles and jamming GPS signals. In response, Ukraine has conducted at least three tests of exo-atmospheric kill systems designed to intercept launches in near space, The Guardian reported.
| Project / Initiative | Key Partners | Status / Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Obria Nano | Himera, GomSpace | Test satellite launched 1 October |
| ICEYE & Nokia Satcom | ICEYE, Nokia, Ukraine MoD | Letter of intent signed 22 October; launches expected in 2028 |
| Rassvet (“Dawn”) | Russian enterprises | Over 30 satellites deployed in orbit |
Full deployment of a domestic network faces logistical hurdles, including launch queues and the scarcity of ground terminals, with Himera co-founder and CEO Misha Rudominski noting that production units would weigh about 250 kg compared to the 10 kg Obria Nano, as reported by Euromaidan Press.
