Russian troops have significantly improved operational coordination and efficiency due to the proliferation of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, The Washington Post has reported.

In 2022, Starlink was initially provided free of charge to Ukrainian forces following Russia's invasion of the country, and was later funded by the Pentagon, which allocated $14.1mn for a six-month contract. However, according to The Washington Post, Russian units have increasingly acquired Starlink terminals, shifting the balance of communication technology on the battlefield. 

This development has enabled Russian forces to improve their capabilities in occupied Ukraine, marking a stark contrast to their previous reliance on traditional radio. Citing sources within the Ukrainian military, the newspaper stated that the proliferation of Starlink terminals has transformed Russia’s combat abilities, with better communication and coordination facilitating a level of operational effectiveness that was previously lacking. 

"Before, the Russians couldn't control some of their movements, manoeuvres, artillery, infantry," one quoted officer said, highlighting that when Ukraine intercepted Russian radio transmissions, they frequently observed soldiers providing incomplete or incorrect information to their commanders.

The implications of Starlink's use are particularly evident in a number of high-profile military engagements, such as the recent fall of Vuhledar. An officer from the 72nd Mechanised Brigade, which has been defending the Vuhledar area since 2022, told The Washington Post that the communication capabilities offered by Starlink have played a crucial role in facilitating Russian advances. This advantage is compounded by challenges such as manpower shortages on the Ukrainian side.

This situation has also raised questions about the responsibility of Musk and SpaceX in preventing the unauthorised use of Starlink by enemy forces. Efforts to mitigate the illegal use of Starlink terminals are complicated by the fact that the same technology is used by both Ukrainian and Russian forces in close proximity.

US initiatives aimed at deactivating terminals based on geographical location risk disrupting communications for Ukrainian troops who rely on Starlink. Experts suggest that a more effective approach could involve collecting identifiers of authorised terminals and collaborating with SpaceX to block unauthorised access.