Starlink Loss Helped Ukraine Regain Ground

Ukraine recaptured about 400 square kilometers of territory earlier this year after Russian forces lost access to thousands of Starlink terminals they had been using illegally, UNIAN reported, citing Bloomberg and a US intelligence assessment.

According to US intelligence officials, the loss of satellite communications was a significant factor in weakening Russia’s ability to coordinate drone strikes and troop movements in areas where signals were weak or jammed. The report described the gains as Ukraine’s first significant territorial advance in three years.

Russian forces also faced problems after the Kremlin restricted Telegram, an app widely used for frontline communication. The US assessment said that despite those setbacks, Russia retained overall superiority in most combat operations in March.

SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has reportedly worked with the US military to detect and block Starlink terminals used by Russian forces. The Pentagon extended a contract in 2024 to provide Ukraine with a secure military version of the Starlink network.

(max)