Ukraine Regains Territory After Russia's Starlink Access Blocked

Ukrainian troops recorded a spectacular military success, reclaiming 201 square kilometers of occupied territory between February 11 and 15. According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this is the largest territorial gain since the summer counteroffensive of 2023. The key factor enabling this breakthrough was the lack of access by Russian aggressors to the Starlink network. Since February 5, Russian terminals have stopped working along the entire front line, drastically limiting the operational capability of Kremlin units. Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression in 2022, satellite communication has become the foundation of the modern battlefield, enabling drone control and real-time intelligence data transmission. Russian military bloggers report growing decision-making paralysis. Forced to use traditional communication methods, Russian troops have become easier targets for Ukrainian artillery. Russian Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, additionally admitted that Western intelligence services are likely infiltrating communication conducted via the popular messenger Telegram. Facing these problems, Roskomnadzor announced the complete blocking of this platform in Russia from April 1, which experts interpret as a step towards full informational isolation of society. „We see their large satellite dishes. They are now easier to locate and hit.” — Serhij Ohorodnyk The situation on the front remains dynamic, but the Ukrainian army is effectively exploiting the opponent's technological gap. Although the Russian Ministry of Defense officially denies that the Starlink cutoff affected the efficiency of their operations, data from ISW and reports from HUR indicate a deep crisis in the aggressor's command structures. Ukrainians continue clearing operations in the so-called gray zone, strengthening their positions ahead of expected Russian counterattack attempts. Recovered Territory on February 11-15: February 11-15: 201, December 2025: 195, June 2023: 180 201 km² — territory liberated by Ukraine in 5 days [{"aspekt": "Main communication channel", "przed": "Starlink (civilian terminals)", "po": "Traditional satellite antennas and radio"}, {"aspekt": "Drone control", "przed": "Remote, low latency", "po": "Hindered, limited range"}, {"aspekt": "Data security", "przed": "Encrypted Starlink connections", "po": "Vulnerability to intelligence eavesdropping"}]