Telecom Giant Kyivstar Becomes Official Starlink Dealer in Ukraine

Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecom operator, said it is now an official seller for SpaceX’s Starlink devices in Ukraine for business and government agencies. The company previously partnered with SpaceX to introduce one of Europe’s first satellite direct-to-cell services. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Starlink satellite antennas are seen at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA), the international trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, on August 31, 2023 during a preview at the fair grounds in Berlin. Starlink is a satellite internet provider operated by Elon Musk’s American aerospace company SpaceX. This year’s IFA edition will be open to the public from Sept. 1 to 5, 2023. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecommunications firm, said Wednesday that it became the official business dealer for SpaceX’s Starlink devices in the country. The company, in a press release , said it can now supply businesses and public organizations with Starlink satellite communication devices. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “Kyivstar Group LTD, the parent company of Kyivstar PJSC, the national electronic communications operator of Ukraine and part of VEON Group, has received the right to officially sell Starlink services to support Ukrainian businesses,” the company wrote. “The parties have concluded a new agreement that allows them to officially supply Starlink high-speed Internet kits and services to businesses, as well as state institutions of Ukraine, such as schools, universities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc,” it added. Kyivstar added that business customers would also receive around-the-clock service support from the company, with the ability to purchase Starlink devices in Ukrainian currency based on the exchange rate set by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). Prior to the update, Ukrainians had to order Starlink via SpaceX directly or through other resellers. Kyivstar also partnered with SpaceX to launch one of Europe’s first direct-to-cell services in November 2025, allowing users to send and receive text messages via satellite when there is no cell tower coverage. Other Topics of Interest China Becomes Main Gateway for Russia’s Sanctioned Tech Imports Russia’s reliance on China for sanctioned technology has deepened, despite EU sanction efforts to curb supplies critical to the Kremlin’s war effort. Starlink was used in Ukraine at the start of Russia’s 2022 full invasion, and it has since become a backbone of Ukraine’s military operations. It has also gained traction among civilians. During the power outages caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grids that affected mobile and household internet, some Ukrainians also turned to Starlink devices to access the internet. Russian troops had also relied on Starlink devices smuggled into the country for frontline operations as exports were banned due to Western sanctions. However, Kyiv worked with SpaceX to introduce a registration system in February 2026 and deactivated unregistered terminals. The deactivation has led to clashes among friendly units within Russian forces, with Kyiv reportedly making significant territorial gains thanks to the outage for Moscow. Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.