Starlink in Ukraine - What if the military communications artery is cut off?

Almost no technical system has played a more important role in the Russian-Ukrainian war than Starlink. This system has become a fundamental pillar of communications, reconnaissance, and operation of drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On the other hand, fears are mounting that Elon Musk's satellite Internet service may be restricted or reduced in efficiency, and perhaps even stopped completely. Recently, Kiev spoke again about malfunctions and restrictions that affected the use of the service.

How does Starlink save communications?

Since the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has relied heavily on the satellite Internet service of the American company SpaceX. In areas where infrastructure has been destroyed or mobile networks have been down, the Starlink system allows soldiers to continue exchanging data and communicating. According to the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, about 50,000 Starlink terminals are currently in use in Ukraine (until 2025).

These devices are the system's receiving and transmitting units, and allow communications on battlefields. It is also used to transmit orders between different levels of command and receive images and data from drones. The great importance of the system is also evident from the events that accompanied the beginning of the war. According to an analysis issued by the Center for Security Studies of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the KA-SAT satellite system that Ukraine was using was subjected to a cyber attack hours before the Russian invasion began. Under these circumstances, Starlink has rapidly gained importance as an alternative communications infrastructure.

Starlink or Starshield?

The terms Starlink and Starshield are often confused in current discussions. Starlink is SpaceX's commercial satellite internet service. StarShield is a system intended for government and military uses in particular.

Although it relies on the same technical infrastructure, it is designed to meet security and defense requirements. This distinction is particularly important because recent reports of service restrictions appear to be primarily related to systems used for military purposes.

The importance of Starlink in drone warfare

Besides its role in communications, Starlink is widely used to power drones. The system also provides Internet connectivity for boats, marine and aerial drones. Thanks to this network, videos and images can be transmitted almost instantly, and drones can be controlled over long distances.

Ukraine uses these systems for reconnaissance missions, as well as to carry out strikes targeting remote locations behind the front lines. According to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, these communication channels are also used to transmit images and GPS coordinates of Russian positions to artillery units, helping to coordinate and direct military operations.

What does slowing down Starlink speed mean?

Ukrainian media reported that SpaceX had temporarily imposed speed restrictions on some Starlink terminals, to between 110 and 160 kilometers per hour. If these restrictions are applied permanently or on a larger scale, they may directly affect the performance of Ukrainian drones, some of which reach speeds of about 300 kilometers per hour. A loss of communication means losing the ability to broadcast live images and videos, as well as the inability to control aircraft in real time.

Then these drones may be forced to continue their tasks based on pre-prepared routes and programs, without receiving updates or immediate orders during implementation.

Therefore, any limitation or possible discontinuation of Starlink service will not only affect military communications, but may also affect the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone and other military operations.

More than just satellite internet

Despite the great importance of Starlink and its military version, Starshield, they constitute only one of the pillars of the military support system on which Ukraine depends. Kiev also receives intelligence from its Western partners, including data on Russian air strikes, missile launches, troop movements, and locations of air defense systems, as well as information that helps determine paths of movement and avoid risks.

This data plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukrainian air defenses and planning offensive operations. Carrying out long-range attacks using drones against targets inside Russian territory becomes more difficult without this type of intelligence information. The greatest effectiveness lies in the integration of these two elements. Reconnaissance data provides an accurate picture of potential targets and their access routes, while Starlink allows this information to be quickly transmitted to field units and utilized in a timely manner.

That's why reports of a possible reduction in US intelligence sharing with Ukraine raise as much concern as any potential restrictions on Starlink. While other NATO countries, such as Britain and France, can provide similar intelligence support, American capabilities still represent an element that is difficult to fully replace.

A strategic element in modern armies

Although there are European alternatives to Starlink, such as Eutelsat/OneWeb, their ability to operate with the same efficiency in an actual war environment has not yet been tested on a large scale. Repeated concerns that Starlink service could be restricted highlight a fact that has become evident in the Ukrainian war: that satellite communications have become a key pillar of Ukrainian military operations. It also reveals that relying on a single service provider, despite the ease of operation and coordination it provides, involves a high degree of dependence on private technology companies.

Experts believe that this reality reflects a profound shift in the nature of modern wars, as military capabilities no longer depend only on armies and states, but are also linked to technologies and infrastructure managed by private companies.

On the other hand, the prominent role that Starlink played in Ukraine contributed to strengthening its presence globally, and making it one of the most famous and influential satellite communications in contemporary conflicts.