Ukraine’s telecommunications network, a crucial aspect of the country’s infrastructure, has suffered extensive damage during the ongoing Russian invasion. According to Stanislav Prybytko, Director-General of the Directorate for Mobile Broadband in Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, over 4,300 mobile base stations and a quarter of the country’s internet networks have been destroyed since February 2022. The fiber optic network has also been severely impacted, with over 30,000 kilometers of cables damaged or destroyed. This damage represents a significant setback for Ukraine’s telecommunications sector and will require substantial resources and time to repair.
Estimates provided by the Ukrainian government indicate that approximately $4.67 billion (€4.38 billion) will be needed over a ten-year period to restore the telecommunications network to its pre-war condition. This figure includes not only physical repairs but also capacity building in cybersecurity and other related areas.
The World Bank, in a report released in December 2023, put the estimated damage to the telecommunications sector closer to $2.1 billion (€1.97 billion). However, the report also aligns with Prybytko’s assessment of the overall need for funding, as Ukraine’s reconstruction plan encompasses not just physical repairs but also improvements in cybersecurity and other sectors.
The impact of the damaged telecommunications infrastructure is not uniform across the country. Prybytko indicated that fixed broadband operators have sustained 45% of the total network damage, followed closely by mobile operators at 43%. The remaining damage is distributed among the postal service and broadcasters.
Two major telecom companies operating in Ukraine, Lifecell and Vodafone Ukraine, have reported being able to manage the costs of repairing their damaged networks thus far. However, they have expressed concern that they will not be able to continue doing so indefinitely if the war prolongs. Vodafone has already spent over €47 million on repairs, while Lifecell has committed approximately $150 million (€138 million) from its own profits.
Smaller internet and mobile providers have faced more severe challenges. According to Prybytko, around 720 such providers have suffered substantial losses, with nearly 100 on the brink of bankruptcy. The Donetska Oblast and Kharkivska Oblast have experienced the most significant damage to their telecommunications infrastructure, accounting for 17% each. Other heavily affected areas include Zaporizka Oblast, Khersonska Oblast, and Kyivska Oblast, with each accounting for between 11% and 13% of the total damage.
As the war continues, estimates may change, and the full extent of the damage may not be known until the conflict subsides. Prybytko and the World Bank’s estimates only cover non-Russian occupied areas. Assessing the damage in Russian-occupied territories remains extremely difficult.
Despite the challenges, the Ukrainian government and private providers are working together to keep citizens connected. In Kharkiv, for example, an estimated 80% of mobile base stations remain operational, despite the severe damage to critical energy infrastructure. Mobile operators have shared cell towers, generators, and bases, and have eliminated in-country roaming to ensure connectivity.
Ukraine is also leveraging technology to bridge gaps in telecommunications services. The country has become one of the largest users of SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite-based internet service, with over 47,000 units in use. This decentralized approach to connectivity has proven effective in areas where traditional networks have been destroyed.
The government also plans to establish free WiFi zones in libraries, schools, and service centers, and is working on launching a 5G pilot network. Additionally, Ukraine is focusing on increasing transparency in its electronic communications sector to facilitate its eventual integration into the European Union.
While the process of rebuilding Ukraine’s telecommunications network will be long and costly, the commitment of the government and private providers to restoring connectivity is evident. The use of innovative solutions and the support of international partners will be crucial in ensuring that Ukraine regains a robust and resilient telecommunications infrastructure for the future.
