VEON’s Kyivstar and Uklon Launch Ukraine’s First Live Testing of Autonomous Vehicle Technology

VEON (Nasdaq: VEON), parent of Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV), announced that Uklon has launched Ukraine’s first live testing of autonomous vehicle technology.

Rhea-AI Summary

VEON (Nasdaq: VEON), parent of Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV), announced that Uklon has launched Ukraine’s first live testing of autonomous vehicle technology.

The pilot at Boryspil International Airport uses sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, telemetry and remote operations, and is VEON’s first autonomous mobility initiative, enabled by its USD 1.3 billion digital infrastructure investment in Ukraine from 2023–2026.

Positive

• USD 1.3 billion invested in Ukraine’s digital infrastructure between 2023 and 2026
• Launch of Ukraine’s first live autonomous vehicle testing via Uklon
• Pilot delivered in partnership with Boryspil International Airport
• Marks VEON’s first autonomous mobility initiative across its footprint
• Supports Ukraine’s Digital Development Strategy to 2030

Negative

• None.

Argus May 27 session

+1.99% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – VEON

On May 27, the day this news came out, VEON closed 1.99% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 27 session.

Key Figures

Ukraine investment: USD 1.3 billion

Ukraine investment

USD 1.3 billion

VEON investment into Ukraine’s digital infrastructure between 2023 and 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 19

5 events

1. May 19

   Bond offering priced

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   USD 1.4 billion senior unsecured bond issued to refinance existing debt.

2. May 18

   Tender offer / notes

   24h Move

   +0.5%

   Announced investor meetings on dual-tranche USD notes and tender for 2027 notes.

3. May 13

   1Q26 earnings beat

   24h Move

   +13.8%

   Strong 1Q26 revenue, EBITDA and digital growth with raised 2026 revenue guidance.

4. May 11

   AGM and FY25 update

   24h Move

   +1.1%

   Shareholders re-elected board; FY25 revenue and EBITDA showed robust growth.

5. May 06

   Starlink reseller deal

   24h Move

   -0.0%

   Kyivstar authorized to resell Starlink services and hardware in Ukraine.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

autonomous vehicle technology, onboard sensors, lidar, real-time connectivity, +4 more

8 terms

autonomous vehicle technology technical

"first Ukrainian mobility company to put autonomous vehicle technology into live testing"

Technology that enables vehicles to navigate, steer, brake and make driving decisions without a human behind the wheel, using cameras, sensors, maps and computer software. For investors it matters because it can reshape industries—reducing operating costs, creating new services (like robot taxis), changing liability and regulatory risks, and opening large markets; think of it as giving cars a robotic chauffeur that can alter how people and goods move and how companies make money.

onboard sensors technical

"including onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, vehicle telemetry"

Onboard sensors are electronic devices built into a vehicle, machine, wearable or piece of equipment that continuously monitor conditions such as position, motion, temperature, pressure, or system performance. They matter to investors because they enable products to work smarter, safer and more efficiently—like a nervous system providing real‑time feedback that can reduce failures, cut operating costs, enable new features, meet regulations and create competitive advantage.

lidar technical

"including onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, vehicle telemetry"

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology that uses laser beams to create detailed, three-dimensional maps of the environment. It works like a sophisticated eye that measures distances by bouncing light off objects, helping machines see and understand their surroundings. For investors, lidar is important because it enables advancements in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and mapping, which can drive innovation and growth in related industries.

real-time connectivity technical

"including onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, vehicle telemetry"

Real-time connectivity is the continuous, near-instant flow of data between systems, markets, or users so information like prices, orders, or alerts updates the moment something changes. For investors this matters because it reduces delays that can cost money or create risk—like getting live directions instead of a delayed map, it enables faster trading decisions, better price execution, and more accurate monitoring of positions and market moves.

vehicle telemetry technical

"including onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, vehicle telemetry"

Vehicle telemetry is the continuous collection and transmission of data from a vehicle’s sensors—such as speed, location, engine performance, fuel use and brake status—sent to a central system for monitoring and analysis. For investors, telemetry reveals how vehicles are actually used and maintained, which affects operating costs, safety, insurance, regulatory compliance and resale value; think of it as a health and usage monitor that helps owners cut surprises and optimize returns.

remote operations infrastructure technical

"vehicle telemetry and remote operations infrastructure, with remote human operators"

A remote operations infrastructure is the collection of systems, software, networks and procedures that let a company run, monitor and control its facilities, equipment and services from away from physical sites — for example via cloud servers, secure connections, sensors and automation. Investors care because it can lower labor and travel costs, speed expansion, improve uptime and reveal risks like cybersecurity or tech failures; think of it as a mobile control room that changes how reliably and cheaply a business operates.

robotaxi technical

"Ukraine’s autonomous mobility and robotaxi ecosystem leader"

A robotaxi is a self-driving vehicle designed to transport passengers without a human driver. It operates autonomously, using sensors and computers to navigate roads and pick up riders, similar to a taxi service but without a driver. For investors, robotaxis represent a potential shift in transportation, promising lower costs and new opportunities in mobility services.

autonomous mobility technical

"positioning it Ukraine’s autonomous mobility and robotaxi ecosystem leader"

Autonomous mobility means vehicles and transport services that can navigate and operate with little or no human control using onboard sensors, software, and networked systems; it covers self-driving cars, delivery robots, automated shuttles, and the supporting digital infrastructure. Investors care because it changes who pays for and earns income from transportation—like replacing a human driver with software—and can shift costs, create new revenue streams, and introduce regulatory and safety risks that affect company value.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Uklon becomes the first Ukrainian mobility company to put autonomous vehicle technology into live testing, positioning it Ukraine’s autonomous mobility and robotaxi ecosystem leader

Dubai, Kyiv, and New York, May 27, 2026 – VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator and the parent company of Kyivstar Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: KYIV; KYIVW), today announced that Uklon, the largest ride-hailing platform in Ukraine and part of Kyivstar’s digital ecosystem, has launched the country’s first live testing of autonomous vehicle technology.

The pilot uses core technologies and operational components of modern autonomous vehicle programs, including onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, vehicle telemetry and remote operations infrastructure, with remote human operators acting as a transitional control layer on the path toward higher levels of vehicle autonomy. Uklon is positioning itself as the operating partner for Ukraine’s future autonomous mobility and robotaxi ecosystem, and is working with regulators and Boryspil Airport on the long-term pathway toward driverless operations.

Between 2023 and 2026, VEON has invested USD 1.3 billion into Ukraine’s digital infrastructure, representing one of the largest sustained commitments by any foreign or domestic investor into Ukraine’s wartime economy. Today’s launch demonstrates how that investment is now generating next-generation services: Ukraine’s first autonomous vehicle pilot, delivered by a Ukrainian ride-hailing platform acquired by Kyivstar in March 2025.

"Today's launch puts Uklon at the center of Ukraine's future robotaxi ecosystem and shows that VEON's USD 1.3 billion investment in rebuilding the country's connectivity and digital infrastructure is generating exactly the kind of next-generation services we said it would," said Kaan Terzioglu, Chief Executive Officer of VEON Group. "VEON continues to support the innovative technologies being built by Ukrainian talent, and we are proud that Uklon and Kyivstar are among the platforms helping to define what the next generation of mobility in Ukraine looks like."

“As part of the VEON Group Digital Operator strategy, we are developing a digital ecosystem where communication technologies become the basis for new services.” said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “This project confirms that the synergy of the telecom and IT sectors within the Kyivstar group of companies, which includes Uklon, creates unique solutions and opens new opportunities for the country.”

The pilot is being delivered in partnership with Boryspil International Airport and marks VEON’s first autonomous mobility initiative across its operating footprint. The initiative aligns with Ukraine’s Digital Development Strategy to 2030 and has been welcomed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation.

About VEON

VEON is a digital operator that provides connectivity and digital services to over 150 million connectivity and more than 228 million digital users. Operating across five countries that are home to more than 6% of the world’s population, VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. VEON is listed on NASDAQ. For more information, visit: https://www.veon.com.

About Kyivstar Group Ltd. 

Kyivstar Group Ltd. (“Kyivstar”) is a Nasdaq-listed holding company that operates JSC Kyivstar, Ukraine’s leading digital operator and the first Ukrainian company to list on a U.S. stock exchange. Kyivstar’s companies provide a broad range of connectivity and digital services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data, ride-hailing, e-health, digital TV, and enterprise solutions such as Big Data, cloud, and cybersecurity. For more information, please visit https://investors.kyivstar.ua.

About Uklon
Uklon is a product-based IT service company that developed the eponymous ride-hailing service. Founded in Kyiv in 2010, Uklon is one of the leaders in the ride-hailing market in Ukraine. The company's digital service ecosystem includes Uklon Delivery (delivery service) and the Uklon Ads advertising platform. As of March 2026, the Uklon service is present in 27 cities in Ukraine and on the territory of the Bukovel tourist complex. The company also operates in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including in relation including in relation to VEON’s digital operator strategy .

VEON media contact

pr@veon.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did VEON (Nasdaq: VEON) announce about Uklon’s autonomous vehicle pilot on May 27, 2026?

VEON announced that Uklon has launched Ukraine’s first live testing of autonomous vehicle technology. According to VEON, the pilot uses onboard sensors, LiDAR, real-time connectivity, telemetry and remote operations to advance future autonomous mobility and robotaxi services in Ukraine.

How is Kyivstar (Nasdaq: KYIV) involved in Uklon’s autonomous vehicle testing in Ukraine?

Kyivstar is Uklon’s parent within VEON’s digital ecosystem and supports the pilot through connectivity and digital infrastructure. According to Kyivstar, telecom and IT synergies in the group, including Uklon, enable new mobility services based on advanced communication technologies.

Where is VEON and Uklon’s autonomous vehicle technology being tested in Ukraine?

The autonomous vehicle pilot is being delivered in partnership with Boryspil International Airport. According to VEON, the program uses airport operations as a testing ground, combining sensors, LiDAR, telemetry and remote human operators as a transitional control layer toward higher vehicle autonomy.

How much has VEON invested in Ukraine’s digital infrastructure for projects like Uklon’s AV pilot?

VEON has invested USD 1.3 billion in Ukraine’s digital infrastructure between 2023 and 2026. According to VEON, this is one of the largest sustained commitments to Ukraine’s wartime economy and is enabling next-generation services such as the Uklon autonomous vehicle pilot.

How does Uklon’s autonomous vehicle testing align with Ukraine’s Digital Development Strategy 2030?

Uklon’s autonomous vehicle pilot aligns with Ukraine’s Digital Development Strategy to 2030 by advancing connected, automated mobility. According to VEON, the initiative supports national digitalization goals and has been welcomed by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation as part of long-term driverless operations plans.

What role do regulators and Boryspil Airport play in Uklon’s autonomous vehicle project backed by VEON?

Regulators and Boryspil Airport are partners in defining the long-term pathway to driverless operations. According to VEON, Uklon is working with these stakeholders as it positions itself as an operating partner for Ukraine’s future autonomous mobility and robotaxi ecosystem.