Europe seeks non-Musk satellite options after Starlink disruptions in Ukraine

Ukraine's reliance on Starlink was disrupted after Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of the service, prompting European nations to seek alternative satellite communications providers for military security. The restrictions temporarily affected Ukraine's drone operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in depending on a single company. Finnish firms ICEYE and Nokia have since partnered with Ukraine's defense ministry to explore sovereign satellite communications, with initial launches expected in 2028. Eutelsat, a French competitor, also offers services in Ukraine and saw shares spike after the incident. Musk said Ukraine violated Starlink's terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes, a loophole he said was closed. European officials argue traditional governance structures prevent unilateral service cutoffs, while analysts predict a broader push toward European sovereign space-based capabilities.