Russian forces are scrambling to find a new way to stay connected after losing access to Starlink satellite internet. SpaceX, the company that runs the Starlink network, deactivated terminals that the Russian military had been using illegally. This move followed high-level discussions between company leadership and Ukraine’s defense minister.

Ukrainian officials report that the shut-off has crippled Russian operations, particularly their drone programs. Because the Russian military lacked its own reliable network, it had relied heavily on smuggled Starlink terminals for field communications. While Russia does have other hardware available, experts say these homegrown options are less effective and much harder to use in battle.