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EU Seeks Satellite Alternatives Amid Concerns Over Starlink’s Role in Ukraine

The European Union is actively exploring alternative satellite communication systems for Ukraine, as concerns grow over the country’s reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink network during its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukraine’s military currently depends heavily on Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Musk’s SpaceX, for secure and reliable connectivity on the battlefield. However, the unpredictable decisions of the tech billionaire have prompted officials in Kyiv and Brussels to seek other options to avoid what many view as a significant strategic risk.
“Elon Musk is effectively the gatekeeper of Ukraine’s battlefield connectivity. That’s a strategic vulnerability,” said Arthur De Liedekerke, Senior Director of European Affairs at consultancy Rasmussen Global.
One alternative being considered is Govsatcom, a secure satellite network operated by EU governments. French MEP Christophe Grudler, a member of the Renew Europe group, said the service will be operational by June and could help supplement Starlink’s coverage in Ukraine if needed. “It is clear that if Starlink decides to cut the signal today, we have options,” he noted.
Ukraine has already shown interest in Govsatcom, which is designed to support public sector communication across the EU. However, De Liedekerke cautioned that while Govsatcom is valuable for government communications, it may not provide the kind of rapid, front-line connectivity currently needed by Ukrainian forces.
Another potential solution is Eutelsat, a Franco-British satellite operator with a growing low-Earth orbit network. While it currently operates only 630 satellites—far fewer than Starlink’s 7,000—it also deploys geostationary satellites and is ramping up its capacity in Ukraine. Eutelsat currently has 2,000 terminals on the ground, with an additional 14,000 expected to be deployed soon. However, the cost per terminal—estimated at €9,000—is significantly higher than Starlink’s €500 units.
Still, Eutelsat’s independence from the U.S. gives it a political edge. “Eutelsat is our European champion… and one we need to support through funding and political will,” said De Liedekerke.
Looking further ahead, the EU is investing in Iris2, a €6 billion satellite constellation aimed at offering ultra-secure connectivity with post-quantum encryption. Developed by a consortium including Eutelsat, Airbus, and Deutsche Telekom, Iris2 is expected to become operational by 2028 and fully complete by 2030.
While the Iris2 project holds promise for future resilience, experts stress the urgent need for diversity in Ukraine’s current communications landscape. “We’ve let Ukraine’s war zone connectivity be in the hands of one man,” said De Liedekerke. “By having options, by diversifying partnerships, we avoid that single point of failure.”
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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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