Ukraine Military Center TAMPA, Fla. — Local regulators have approved Ukrainian telco Kyivstar’s plans to start testing space-enabled texting services this summer using SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, targeting areas crippled by Russian strikes and other terrestrial coverage gaps. VEON, Kyivstar’s Dubai-headquartered parent company, announced approval for the field tests June 18, following successful lab tests in the United States that confirmed compatibility between its SIM cards and Starlink satellites. Kyivstar is Ukraine’s largest mobile operator with over 23 million subscribers, according to the company, and aims to deploy the Starlink direct-to-cell (D2C) service commercially for unmodified handsets in the fourth quarter of 2025. “Kyivstar remains at the forefront of ensuring Ukraine’s connectivity, especially during challenging times,” said Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov in a statement. COMING SOON: A new email series explaining the Golden Dome initiative, what it means for the space industry and breaking down the latest developments. Sign up now to receive the first edition when the series launches. Sign up By submitting this form, you agree to the SpaceNews privacy policy and terms and conditions and to receive email from us and our partners. You can opt-out at any time. “This partnership with Starlink underscores our determination to provide uninterrupted communication to our customers, regardless of circumstances.” Starlink has already been providing a vital broadband lifeline in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, supporting both civilian and military connectivity. Last week, SpaceX said it had completed the first-generation deployment of Starlink satellites with a D2C payload, although the service remains limited for now to messaging and emergency alerts where currently available in the United States and New Zealand. Congrats to the @SpaceX team on completing the first generation Starlink Direct to Cell constellation! Working with cellular providers around the world, Direct to Cell enables unmodified cellphones to have connectivity in the most remote areas 🛰️🌎❤️ → https://t.co/Zkuz3ommr3 pic.twitter.com/aguNrHkGQy