**Ukraine’s Secure Communications Conundrum: Eutelsat CEO Admits Can’t Match Starlink Scale**
In a candid interview, Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke acknowledged that Ukraine has no viable alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink network for secure satellite communications. Despite ongoing efforts to build up alternative capacity, Eutelsat’s own capabilities are severely limited in comparison.
Berneke was quoted as saying, “If we were to take over the entire connectivity capacity for Ukraine and all the citizens, — we wouldn’t be able to do that. Let’s just be very honest.” This stark admission highlights the Ukrainian government‘s reliance on Starlink, which has become a crucial tool in maintaining secure communications during the ongoing conflict.
**A Geopolitical Risk: Relying on a Single Private Provider**
The Eutelsat CEO also raised concerns over the geopolitical risks of relying on a single private provider like Starlink. Berneke noted that working with Starlink is a dependence that can be decided in the White House or Mar-a-Lago, referencing U.S. President Donald Trump’s residence.
These concerns have grown amid reports that Washington may use Starlink access as leverage. In February, Reuters reported that the U.S. had threatened to cut the service unless Ukraine signed a critical minerals deal. Tech billionaire Elon Musk denied these claims, stating that cutting Ukraine off from Starlink would cause the country’s entire front line to collapse.
**Alternative Solutions: Eutelsat and OneWeb**
Eutelsat is in talks with the European Union on potentially expanding its services to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on Musk’s network. The company’s hybrid satellite approach, combining low Earth orbit and geostationary satellites, could support military operations, including drone attacks, if scaled.
OneWeb, another satellite operator, has begun supporting Ukrainian government operations with fewer than 1,000 active terminals. However, this remains far behind the estimated 50,000 Starlink terminals active across Ukraine, serving military, medical, and civilian sectors.
**The Battle for Kryvyi Rih: A Devastating Russian Missile Attack**
In a separate development, Russia’s missile attack on Kryvyi Rih killed 20 people, including nine children. The devastating strike has sparked renewed calls for decisive action from the international community.
As the world awaits a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, concerns are growing over what a deal brokered by President Trump might look like. Would it result in another capitulation to an adversary, as seen in Afghanistan? Only time will tell.