Kyivstar to Shut Down 3G in Four Ukrainian Regions Starting June 16

Ukraine’s 3G Phaseout Expands

According to Главком: Ukraine’s mobile network operator Kyivstar will disable 3G services in the Lviv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions effective June 16, 2026. The switch-off is scheduled to occur just after midnight on that date. This move is part of a broader global trend where telecom providers are reallocating spectrum to faster technologies like 4G and 5G.

The 3G shutdown began earlier this year in several areas and now extends to specific districts within these four regions. In Lviv Oblast, coverage will end in the Stryi, Zolochiv, Sambir, Yavoriv, Drohobych, and Sheptytskyi districts, as well as the cities of Zolochiv, Yavoriv, Novoyavorivsk, and Mykolaiv. For Chernihiv Oblast, the change affects the Chernihiv and Pryluky districts. In Cherkasy Oblast, 3G will be turned off in the Cherkasy and Zolotonosha districts, plus the cities of Kaniv, Horodyshche, and Zolotonosha. Zhytomyr Oblast will see the shutdown in the Zviahel and Berdychiv districts.

Subscribers using devices that only support 3G will automatically fall back to the 2G network. This transition mirrors similar actions already completed in most EU countries and the United States. To check if a phone is 4G-compatible, customers can use these USSD codes:

• Kyivstar - *245#
• Vodafone - *222#
• Lifecell - *455#

It is also essential to have a modern SIM card (USIM format) for 4G access.

Global Mobile Network Evolution

These network changes are part of an international push to adopt newer standards, which improves call quality and internet speeds while enabling better access to digital services. Upgrading infrastructure is crucial for supporting business operations and online education.

Ukraine’s 3G phaseout aligns with worldwide mobile technology trends, as operators shift toward more advanced standards like 4G and 5G.

This transition is expected to boost mobile internet performance, accelerating the growth of digital services and innovation across the country. Reliable connectivity is increasingly vital for both the economy and education, making such upgrades a key step in modernizing Ukraine’s telecommunications network.