Ukrainian forces liberated 400 square kilometers after disconnecting Starlink in Russians.
In early 2026, Ukrainian forces regained control of 400 square kilometers of territory following the disconnection of thousands of Starlink terminals used by Russian forces. This is stated in a report by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
US intelligence determined that Russian forces were actively using Starlink to coordinate actions at the front where the connection was weak or jammed. In February 2026, after these terminals were turned off, their capabilities significantly decreased, which positively contributed to the Ukrainian offensive. SpaceX collaborated with US military to prevent the illegal use of its technologies in the war.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported an important step in combating Russian drones thanks to cooperation with Starlink on February 1. Subsequently, on February 5, the terminals used by Russian troops were blocked, which, according to Defense Minister adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, halted assault actions in some directions.
Due to the blockade, Russian forces received civilian terminals operating through Russian satellites “Yamal” and “Express”. Additionally, “Bureau 1440”, a private Russian space company, launched 16 “Rassvet” satellites on March 23, 2026, to create an analog of Starlink.
Russia plans a rapid expansion of its satellite network: over 156 devices in orbit by the end of 2026 and 290 in 2027. The project is funded by both the state budget and private investments but is implemented within the framework of “IJ-X Holding,” which is under US sanctions.
| Year | Number of satellites |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 156 |
| 2027 | 290 |
| 2035 | 900 |
