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.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of violating a weekend Easter ceasefire more than 2,900 times, calling into question the sincerity of Moscow’s truce declaration. The 30-hour ceasefire, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday for humanitarian purposes, ended at midnight on Easter Sunday.

Despite the temporary truce, violence persisted across Ukraine. In the southern Kherson region, three people were killed and three others injured during the ceasefire period, local governor Oleksandr Prokudin said in a Telegram update. He reported that the region endured sustained attacks over the past 24 hours.

In his own statement early Monday, Zelenskyy outlined the scale of the alleged violations, saying Russian forces conducted 96 assault operations along the front lines, launched over 1,800 artillery strikes, and deployed hundreds of drones. “The nature of Ukrainian actions will continue to be mirror-like: we will respond to silence with silence, and our blows will be a defence against Russian blows,” Zelenskyy said. “Actions always speak louder than words.”

Ukraine had initially expressed scepticism about Moscow’s intentions, stating it would reciprocate only if Russia adhered to a genuine ceasefire. However, within hours of the truce beginning, both sides accused each other of violations.

Following the ceasefire’s expiration, Russian forces resumed offensive operations, launching a series of missile and drone strikes overnight. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that three missiles were fired at the southern Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, while 96 Shahed drones targeted various parts of the country. Of those, 42 drones were shot down and 47 others were jammed, the military said.

In central Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhii Lysak reported drone strikes that sparked fires at a food facility and another outbuilding, though no injuries were reported. In Cherkasy, local authorities said a piece of infrastructure was damaged in an overnight attack.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces fully complied with the ceasefire terms, stating they remained in “previously occupied lines and positions.” In contrast, Moscow accused Ukraine of breaching the truce 4,900 times, including six attempted assault operations, more than 1,400 artillery and rocket attacks, and over 3,300 drone strikes.

The ministry confirmed that Russian forces have since resumed what it refers to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine.

The breakdown of the truce highlights the ongoing volatility of the conflict and the deep mistrust between Kyiv and Moscow, despite public appeals for temporary peace.