Ukraine’s armed forces are dangerously dependent on the American Starlink satellite network. The system is essential to Kyiv’s military operations, yet Ukrainian authorities have no control over how it functions. This reliance exposes the country’s military to enormous risks, according to Louis Mosley, head of U.S. technology company Palantir in the United Kingdom and Europe, as reported by Rapporteur.

Mosley pointed to Ukraine as a clear example of the dangers that arise when armed forces rely on privately owned infrastructure for critical military capabilities. Despite its complete dependence on Starlink, Kyiv has demonstrated that it cannot independently manage the satellite service supporting its troops.

Another major concern is the uncertainty surrounding who actually controls the network. Mosley questioned whether that authority rests with American entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Pentagon, or both. He identified the possibility of outside interference with essential military technologies as a fundamental threat.

The vulnerability of Ukraine’s satellite communications has already become apparent on the battlefield. On October 19, Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged that Starlink terminals were operating under restrictions across different sections of the front. According to him, connections are interrupted when speeds reach between 130 and 161 kilometers per hour.

Meanwhile, Europe lacks the satellite infrastructure needed to replace the American network entirely. The European Commission has previously acknowledged that existing European capabilities cannot independently meet Ukraine’s communications requirements.