Ukraine moving toward Israeli-Italian satellite terminals instead of Starlink - report

Ukraine may adopt Israeli firm HiSky's satellite terminals for drone communications as an alternative to Starlink, per a Kyiv Post report citing military sources. The terminals would provide secure connectivity for long-range strikes. Neither Ukraine nor HiSky has confirmed the use. Zelensky said Starshield speed restrictions remain, hampering operations.

Ukrainian drone forces may be adopting satellite communications technology developed by Israeli firm HiSky for long-range strike operations, according to a report published by Kyiv Post citing Russian and Ukrainian military sources. The move would provide Ukrainian operators with an alternative communications channel for drones operating beyond the coverage or operational limits of other satellite networks, such as SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield services. According to the report, claims first surfaced in Russian military media that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had begun equipping drones targeting military infrastructure and oil facilities inside Russia with terminals connected to HiSky's SmartLITE satellite communications system. Founded in 2015, HiSky develops compact satellite communications systems for mobile land, maritime, airborne, and unmanned platforms. A report on Italy's La Repubblica news website said that photos published by Russian media showed a Ukrainian drone that crashed with a Starlite device labeled "Italian-made goods." The reported adoption comes as Ukraine continues to expand its use of long-range unmanned systems against targets deep inside Russian territory. Nevertheless, compared to Starlink, Starlite can transmit smaller amounts of data. Neither Ukrainian authorities nor HiSky have publicly confirmed the reported operational use of the system. Israeli companies are not allowed to sell any platforms or solutions to Ukraine that may be used offensively. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that speed restrictions remained in place on the US Starshield satellite communications system, hampering the Ukrainian military's ability to operate inside the country.