Ukraine battlefield: Why Starlink internet is so important to military operations

A network across the battlefield

Starlink uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access, including in remote areas and battle zones. SpaceX operates the service, which the article describes as the company’s biggest revenue driver.

The network has more than 10,000 active satellites. Users connect through ground terminals that are quick to set up; Elon Musk described their instructions as “point at sky, plug in.” Electronic warfare expert Tom Whittington told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that Starlink can move video, text and voice data much like smartphones, but without the infrastructure phones require.

Restrictions prompt questions

Ukraine’s complaints about restrictions have focused attention on Starlink and Starshield, a military-grade version developed by SpaceX for the Pentagon. Starshield relies on Starlink but offers stronger security, including enhanced encryption for sensitive information.

Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, said he believed the restrictions were not coincidental and were connected to recent strains between Kyiv and Washington. He also said officials had not been told about overnight speed limits of 100mph (160km/h) set on Tuesday.

Musk suggested in a post on X that the US government could be responsible for a slowdown affecting Ukrainian use. SpaceX said Starlink is a commercial service and that its use is limited to civilian or defensive activities, not offensive military action.

Speed limits and drone pursuit

The reported speed limits have particular implications for efforts to intercept Shahed drones. The article says Shaheds fly faster than 198mph, making it almost impossible for Ukrainian forces to pursue them under the restriction imposed by SpaceX.