Few technological systems have played such an important role in the war in Ukraine as Starlink, central to the communications, reconnaissance and drone operations of the Ukrainian armed forces. There are currently widespread concerns that Elon Musk's satellite internet service in Ukraine may be restricted or even switched off. In recent days, Kyiv has repeatedly reported disruptions and restrictions affecting its use.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has made extensive use of the satellite internet service, which is operated by the US company SpaceX. With it, military personell can continue to communicate and exchange data, even when infrastructure has been destroyed or cellphone networks are down. According to the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, around 50,000 Starlink terminals were in use in Ukraine in 2025.
These are the system's specialised receiving and transmitting devices, which enable communications on the battlefield. They are also used to relay orders between command levels and receive drone footage. The importance of the Starlink network can in part be explained by events at the beginning of the war.
According to a CSS analysis, the KA-SAT satellite system previously favored by Ukraine was targeted in a cyberattack just hours before Russia's invasion. Starlink quickly became a vital alternative. When discussing current affairs, the terms "Starlink" and "Starshield" are often used interchangeably.
However, Starlink is SpaceX's commercial satellite internet service, whereas Starshield is specifically designed for governmental and military use. While based on the same technological infrastructure, it is designed for security and defense applications. This distinction matters, because the latest reports of restrictions seem to primarily concern systems used for military purposes.
Elon Musk recently stated that Starshield systems are controlled by the US government, whereas Starlink is a commercial service operated by SpaceX. Alongside communications, Starlink is mainly used for drone operations. The system provides an internet connection for ground, naval and aerial drones.
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