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5G under fire: Lviv launches new network after Oreshnik strike

5G under fire: Lviv launches new network after Oreshnik strike

Kira Aronova Journalist

12 January 2026, 13:51

5G under fire: Lviv launches new network after Oreshnik strike — Kyivstar

Despite Russia's missile attack, Lviv became the first city in Ukraine to launch a 5G pilot, and the authorities have already named the next cities to launch.

A pilot fifth-generation (5G) mobile network has been officially launched in Lviv. The launch of the service was announced by the government and all three mobile operators - Kyivstar, lifecell and Vodafone. It is reported by BBC News Ukraine.

According to the publication, the launch took place just three days after the Russian Oreshnik missile attack on Lviv on the night of 9 January. Despite the attack, the operators' teams, together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, did not stop working and brought the project to the launch.

According to the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, 5G is currently available only in the historic city centre. Lviv was chosen for the pilot because of the high prevalence of 5G-ready smartphones and the already built infrastructure - more than 20 base stations of the new standard have been installed in the city.

The main advantage of 5G is a significantly higher data transfer rate. Theoretically, it can reach 500 Mbps per subscriber. In fact, in the centre of Lviv, the download speed is about 120 Mbps and up to 50 Mbps for uploading.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation reported that after the approval of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the completion of testing, the pilot will be scaled up. In January, 5G is planned to be launched in Borodyanka, in February - in Kharkiv, and later in other cities of Ukraine.

Kievstar, lifecell, Vodafone, Lviv, Ukraine, Ministry of Digital Transformation.

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