Finland to hand over 10 locomotives to Ukraine and help create its own satellite communication

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the signing of key agreements with Finland. During a meeting with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the parties formalised their arrangements in seven documents, with a total value reaching 300 million euros.

Creating a proprietary satellite network

One of the priority areas became the expansion of defence capabilities in the field of satellite communication. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a letter of intent with Finnish technology companies Nokia and ICEYE.

The document lays the foundation for the development of a sovereign secure satellite communication system designed to meet the state's defence needs. As early as the beginning of October, these companies agreed to combine efforts to create secure broadband systems in low Earth orbit.

The particularity of such technologies is the state's ability to control not only the satellites but also the ground equipment and terminals. Satellite solutions play a crucial role in modern defence operations, where they are used for territory monitoring, intelligence gathering, and maintaining communications.

Support for the transport and energy sectors

In addition to defence technologies, the agreements provide for support of infrastructure that is subject to systematic strikes. Finland plans to transfer ten locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia free of charge. As reported by the Finnish government, these are machines that the Finnish railway company VR is taking out of service.

Such assistance is of particular significance. Over the past year and a half, more than 500 locomotives have been damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks. Railway transport remains vital for the stability of supplies, economic activity, and the movement of the population.

The parties also agreed on financing measures to protect energy facilities and the transfer of equipment for the energy sector. These steps are aimed at strengthening defence capabilities and maintaining the functioning of critical infrastructure in wartime conditions.