- February 5, 2026
- 4:39 pm
- World News
In the Z-segment of the internet, a characteristic howl has been heard since the morning of February 5, 2026. Grinding, hysteria, curses.
“Betrayal,” “Musk sold out,” “the Ukrainians pushed through” — a standard set that is heard from afar and easily recognized by intonation. But sometimes, through the noise, a rare and unexpectedly sane thought breaks through: this is called technological lag.
And with this, arguing is pointless.
When the 21st Century Collides with a War of the Past
The beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century. The fourth year of full-scale war.
And the army, which for years called itself “the second in the world,” still has not acquired its own stable, protected communication system. Data exchange, unit management, fire coordination — all this has long relied on Telegram and Starlink satellite internet, including terminals used outside official procedures.
Yes, the Ukrainian side also actively uses satellite communication. But the fundamental difference is that for Ukraine, this is an element of the system, not its replacement.
And no one in Kyiv built a mythology around the “second army in the world.”
What Actually Happened
Starlink was disabled in Ukraine for all unauthorized terminals — at the official request of Ukraine.
This is not about “Russian terminals” per se and not about targeted blockades. A territorial control principle was introduced: any Starlink terminal operating in Ukraine without coordination with the Ukrainian side is subject to disconnection.
This decision was implemented through SpaceX’s technical capabilities and was a direct response to the recorded use of satellite communication in combat operations without the permission of the state where the war is taking place.
What Preceded This Decision
On January 25, radio technology specialist Sergey “Flash” Beskrestnov, advisor to Mykhailo Fedorov on technological directions, publicly stated the probable use of Starlink satellite internet by the Russian side on strike UAVs like “Shahed.”
This was not about isolated episodes but about the systematic use of satellite communication for targeting and controlling drones.
After this, Ukraine approached SpaceX with a request for help in stopping the unauthorized use of Starlink in the combat zone. Elon Musk publicly responded to the request.
Soon it became known that SpaceX began implementing countermeasures. On February 1, Musk noted that measures against unauthorized use of Starlink likely already had an effect.
Ukraine’s Decision and the “White List”
Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced the gradual implementation of a system where only authorized Starlink terminals can operate in Ukraine.
The key point is not “who uses it,” but where and under what conditions.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution on the introduction of the so-called “white list”. This means the following:
— only verified and registered terminals operate in Ukraine
— all devices outside official registration are subject to disconnection
— the geographical principle is more important than the origin of the equipment
This is why the effect was massive.
Why This Was a Blow to the Russian Army
According to intelligence, Russian units used up to 20,000 Starlink terminals, investing more than 20 million dollars in this gray communication channel.
After disconnection, these terminals turned into useless equipment.
Dependence on satellite communication in some units reached a critical level. Switching to outdated radio means drastically reduced coordination speed.
In a significant part of the front, assault actions were effectively paralyzed due to the inability to manage fire and units operationally.
FPV Drones and Management Degradation
A separate blow hit the drone component.
The range of relay drones sharply decreased. Returning to analog channels made control vulnerable to electronic warfare.
What used to work for tens of kilometers now fails on approach.
Communication That Unmasks Headquarters
Returning to bulky Soviet-type communication systems has another effect — deadly dangerous.
If compact Starlink antennas transmitted a signal with a narrow beam into the sky, remaining inconspicuous, then old radio stations work like powerful beacons.
For radio-technical intelligence, this means quick de-anonymization of headquarters. Coordinates are calculated in minutes, followed by a strike.
The loss of Starlink is not just the absence of communication. It is the exposure of the entire management structure.
Is There a Way Out
In short — no.
Russia does not have its own full-fledged Starlink analogs in hardware. Projects exist at the level of concepts and presentations, but sanctions, chip shortages, and the lack of components make them unrealizable in the foreseeable future.
Even in an optimistic scenario, creating its own satellite network will take several years. In the conditions of the 2026 war, this is equivalent to the absence of a solution.
Returning to communication methods of the last century is a direct path to tactical and strategic fiasco.
Why This Is More Important Than One Episode
The story with Starlink is not about Elon Musk and not about emotions in Telegram. It is a demonstration of how in modern warfare, not numbers and rhetoric, but technology and control over infrastructure decide.
This is exactly what NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency wrote about earlier, analyzing how technological gaps become a key factor on the battlefield.
When communication disappears, management disappears. And without management, even a large army quickly becomes blind.
