Major Battlefield Setback: Russian Starlink Terminals Disabled
President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he planned to reach out to Elon Musk to discuss providing Starlink internet to people in Iran.
In a significant development, Ukraine has collaborated with SpaceX to disable Starlink internet terminals that were being utilized by Russian forces. This strategic move has been described by Kyiv as a major setback for Moscow’s battlefield operations.
According to Reuters, Ukraine’s military employs tens of thousands of Starlink terminals for crucial battlefield communications and drone operations. Recently, Ukrainian officials discovered that Starlink terminals were attached to Russian long-range drones, prompting urgent appeals to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for assistance.
Since the onset of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops have reportedly relied on unauthorized Starlink terminals for secure communications. In response, Kyiv worked with SpaceX to create a “white list” of authorized Ukrainian Starlink terminals, effectively allowing the shutdown of Russian-operated systems.
Russian soldiers standing with Starlink boxes at an unknown location. Ukraine said it has worked with SpaceX to block Starlink internet terminals used by Russian forces, a move Kyiv described as a major setback for Moscow’s battlefield operations. (East2West News)
“Starlinks included in the ‘white list’ are operational — Russian terminals have already been blocked,” stated Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a Telegram post, adding that the list is continuously being updated, as reported by Reuters.
While the full extent of the disruption remains unverified, multiple Ukrainian sources have indicated that the impact appears to be significant. Pro-Russian Telegram channels, such as Two Majors, have acknowledged the outage, describing it as “extremely unpleasant” for Russian forces.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaking at an event. (Richard Bord/WireImage / Getty Images)
Ukrainian military sources have reported that Russian units are facing severe communication issues and are attempting to switch to Russian-made satellite systems. “All command of the troops has collapsed. Assault operations have been halted in many areas,” stated Ukrainian defense adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov on Telegram, according to Reuters.
The disruption in Starlink communications has led to a slowdown or cessation of some Russian frontline attacks, as units struggle to coordinate their operations. Ukrainian sources indicate that Russian forces can no longer attach Starlink terminals to drones for targeting and battlefield coordination.
East2West reported that Russia lacks a domestic alternative comparable to Starlink, having failed to establish its own satellite-internet system for frontline forces.
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Rows of boxed Starlink satellite-internet terminals packed together at a Russian military outpost at an unknown location. (East2West News)
In the midst of this communication disruption, East2West reported that Russia has launched a new spy satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk military cosmodrome.
The Starlink disruption coincides with ongoing U.S.-brokered talks aimed at ending the war. American officials have reiterated that the United States will continue supplying weapons to Ukraine until a peace agreement is finalized.
President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he planned to reach out to Elon Musk to discuss providing Starlink internet to people in Iran.
In a significant development, Ukraine has collaborated with SpaceX to disable Starlink internet terminals that were being utilized by Russian forces. This strategic move has been described by Kyiv as a major setback for Moscow’s battlefield operations.
According to Reuters, Ukraine’s military employs tens of thousands of Starlink terminals for crucial battlefield communications and drone operations. Recently, Ukrainian officials discovered that Starlink terminals were attached to Russian long-range drones, prompting urgent appeals to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for assistance.
Since the onset of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops have reportedly relied on unauthorized Starlink terminals for secure communications. In response, Kyiv worked with SpaceX to create a “white list” of authorized Ukrainian Starlink terminals, effectively allowing the shutdown of Russian-operated systems.
Russian soldiers standing with Starlink boxes at an unknown location. Ukraine said it has worked with SpaceX to block Starlink internet terminals used by Russian forces, a move Kyiv described as a major setback for Moscow’s battlefield operations. (East2West News)
“Starlinks included in the ‘white list’ are operational — Russian terminals have already been blocked,” stated Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a Telegram post, adding that the list is continuously being updated, as reported by Reuters.
While the full extent of the disruption remains unverified, multiple Ukrainian sources have indicated that the impact appears to be significant. Pro-Russian Telegram channels, such as Two Majors, have acknowledged the outage, describing it as “extremely unpleasant” for Russian forces.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaking at an event. (Richard Bord/WireImage / Getty Images)
Ukrainian military sources have reported that Russian units are facing severe communication issues and are attempting to switch to Russian-made satellite systems. “All command of the troops has collapsed. Assault operations have been halted in many areas,” stated Ukrainian defense adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov on Telegram, according to Reuters.
The disruption in Starlink communications has led to a slowdown or cessation of some Russian frontline attacks, as units struggle to coordinate their operations. Ukrainian sources indicate that Russian forces can no longer attach Starlink terminals to drones for targeting and battlefield coordination.
East2West reported that Russia lacks a domestic alternative comparable to Starlink, having failed to establish its own satellite-internet system for frontline forces.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Rows of boxed Starlink satellite-internet terminals packed together at a Russian military outpost at an unknown location. (East2West News)
In the midst of this communication disruption, East2West reported that Russia has launched a new spy satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk military cosmodrome.
The Starlink disruption coincides with ongoing U.S.-brokered talks aimed at ending the war. American officials have reiterated that the United States will continue supplying weapons to Ukraine until a peace agreement is finalized.
