Why is Ukraine so reliant on Starlink and can Europe plug the gap?

What the report says

Ukraine’s dependence on Starlink has become a pressing security issue after a recent slowdown in the service highlighted how exposed the country is to disruptions in battlefield communications. According to BBC World News, Ukraine uses Elon Musk’s SpaceX network for fast frontline connectivity, while its military also depends on Starshield for higher-end uses such as drone operations. The report says reliable satellite internet can be decisive in combat, especially for sending commands and coordinating responses quickly.

The BBC says there is no fully comparable alternative available yet. Europe’s main current option is Eutelsat’s OneWeb service, but it has far fewer satellites than Starlink and is seen as less capable for military use. The European Union is working on Govsatcom, a shared satellite network for member states, and is discussing possible access for Ukraine. However, the article notes that this system is not currently suitable for warfare tasks such as piloting drones.

The longer-term EU plan is Iris², a defence-focused satellite network that the Commission says should begin operating in 2029 and would include access for Ukraine from the start. While the new system is intended to improve European strategic autonomy in space, the BBC reports that it will still be smaller than Starlink. For now, the core message is that Europe can offer backup connectivity, but not a full substitute for Ukraine’s current needs.