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Eutelsat's shares jumped 25% in five days after Ukrainian officials criticized SpaceX's Starlink systems for restricting military access, raising doubts about U.S. technology's role in defense. The surge highlights growing concerns over Starlink's limitations in Ukraine's war against Russia.

Eutelsat Soars 25% Amid Starlink Limitations in Ukraine

Eutelsat's stock surged 19% on Friday, climbing 25% over five days following Ukrainian accusations that SpaceX's Starlink systems hindered military operations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged the U.S. disabled Starlink, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk blamed Washington and former President Donald Trump for controlling Starshield systems. The rise underscores skepticism about Starlink's reliability in critical defense scenarios, positioning Eutelsat as a potential European alternative.

Eutelsat, with over 600 satellites in orbit, saw its shares climb amid reports of Ukraine experiencing 4-12 hours of daily blackouts due to infrastructure attacks. Deutsche Bank analysts noted Eutelsat's global LEO constellation but highlighted its limited terminal scale compared to Starlink's 6,750 satellites. Ukrainian Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach reported intensified Russian attacks on infrastructure, including bridges and railways, exacerbating reliance on satellite connectivity.

The incident underscores satellite internet's strategic value in modern warfare, with Eutelsat's rise signaling investor confidence in European alternatives. However, its smaller satellite count and terminal capacity may limit its ability to compete with Starlink's scale. Ukrainian military and infrastructure sectors remain directly affected, while U.S. policymakers and global defense firms face indirect implications.

Eutelsat's long-term viability as a Starlink alternative remains uncertain, despite the recent stock surge. The situation highlights the geopolitical stakes of satellite technology but leaves unresolved questions about Europe's capacity to challenge U.S. dominance in this space.

Eutelsat's 25% stock rise reflects growing doubts about Starlink's role in Ukraine, but its ability to replace U.S. technology hinges on overcoming limitations in satellite count and terminal scale. The long-term impact of this shift remains unclear.


Topics: Satellite Technology, Geopolitical Conflicts, Satellite Internet, European Alternatives, U.S. Defense Tech, Ukraine Infrastructure, Space Warfare, Global Defense, Military Technology

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Source: CNBC