Kyivstar Group Ltd (“Kyivstar Group”; Nasdaq: KYIV;KYIVW), the parent company of JSC Kyivstar, Ukraine’s leading digital operator and part of VEON Group (Nasdaq: VEON) announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 (“MWC 2026”) that 5 million Kyivstar customers have now connected to the Kyivstar network via Starlink Mobile satellites1.
During MWC 2026, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov spoke at the Skybound 5G: Drones, HAPS, Satellites & the Race to Connect the World session, and Director of New Business Ilya Polshakov spoke at the Satellite and NTN Summit. The Kyivstar executives shared Kyivstar’s experience in integrating non-terrestrial networks (“NTNs”) in real world conditions, sharing how this is helping to address the unique challenges Ukraine is facing and how Kyivstar plans to integrate the technology to develop new business areas.
In Ukraine, integration of satellite and terrestrial mobile networks is being implemented under extremely difficult wartime conditions: during blackouts caused by attacks on power generation facilities, in regions with damaged infrastructure, and in areas near the frontline. These circumstances make Kyivstar’s operating experience unique in a global context.
“Kyivstar is shaping the global practice of integrating Starlink Mobile with its terrestrial network, and the Ukrainian use cases are directly influencing the development of direct to device technology. We are adapting to the real challenges we face in Ukraine today. What we are testing and refining will help other countries enhance resilient connectivity during crises, disasters, and other emergencies,” said Ilya Polshakov, Director of New Business Development at Kyivstar.
On November 24, 2025, Kyivstar became the first mobile operator in Europe to enable nationwide Starlink Mobile satellite connectivity for any customer with a 4G smartphone, with the ability to send and receive SMS messaging via satellite when the terrestrial network is not available. Since then, 5 million Kyivstar customers have already connected to the “Kyivstar-SpaceX” network and more than 7 million SMS messages have been transmitted through the satellite network.
“Starlink Mobile continues to prove that it works exactly when it matters most. It has become a key part of Kyivstar’s response to the critical challenges we face in areas with no terrestrial coverage, supporting volunteers, rescuers, and humanitarian missions, as well as people living in frontline regions or experiencing prolonged blackouts. For many territories, connecting via Starlink Mobile satellites has proven to be a vital tool for safety and communication. In the past 30 days alone, 376,000 messages were sent and received in frontline areas in the southeast and east of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO.
At the same time, Kyivstar is expanding the use of satellite connectivity for businesses and public services. The technology is already being tested in the agricultural and geodetic sectors, in humanitarian demining operations and in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine. Kyivstar has also successfully tested Starlink Mobile in the financial services sector: together with Mastercard and partners, it validated the operation of 4G-enabled POS terminals via satellite. The results demonstrate that financial transactions are possible even in locations with no terrestrial network coverage, increasing the reach and resilience of the financial service markets and ensuring access to payments for millions of Ukrainians and businesses in the most challenging conditions. Looking ahead, Kyivstar plans to launch light data during 2026 and aims to ensure stable operation of key services; primarily emergency and government services, in scenarios where no terrestrial networks are available.
This will mark a new level of resilience and will enable subscribers to continue using essential digital services in critical situations. Kyivstar continues to advance technologies that make connectivity more reliable and more accessible.
