Elon Musk’s SpaceX has moved to shut down Russia’s illegal use of Starlink satellite internet, delivering another setback to Moscow as casualty rates climb, the New York Post reports. SpaceX blocked unauthorized Starlink terminals in Ukraine on February 1 after discovering them mounted on Russian weapons systems and drones obtained on the black market, violating Starlink’s terms of service that prohibit use in offensive operations, according to the outlet. As a result, only verified Ukrainian devices can connect to Starlink, effectively excluding Russian users.
According to Ukraine’s Lt. Denis Yaroslavsky, who commands a special reconnaissance unit, the shutdown significantly reduced assault operations for three to four days after it took effect. Russian casualty rates have reached their worst since the war began, according to US and Ukrainian intelligence briefings cited by The Post, threatening the Kremlin’s ability to replenish forces sent by Vladimir Putin.
A Ukrainian 3rd Army Corps commander, who goes by the codename “Jackie,” told The Post that their sector routinely achieved about a 20:1 casualty ratio even before the shutdown, highlighting the advantage of elite units. He noted that regular units can reach 5:1 or 8:1, and with Starlink down, a 13:1 ratio becomes feasible for regular units.
Casualty dynamics vary by theater, but Russian losses have spiked at times. In December, during the battle to recapture Kupiansk, the imbalance reached as high as 27 Russian losses for every Ukrainian, according to a Bloomberg report referenced by the British military. Bloomberg also reported that Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told European colleagues Kyiv had inflicted more Russian casualties than the Kremlin could recruit over the previous two months, citing UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
Since the war began in February 2022, over 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed, wounded, or disappeared, a figure described by the Center for Strategic and International Studies as the most severe losses for any major power in a war since World War II. That toll is roughly double Ukraine’s casualties, estimated at 500,000 to 600,000.
The elimination of Starlink has also disrupted the Russian military’s communications, removing a basic tool essential for coordinating operations. While Russia may have alternative options, experts warn it could take four to six months to maximize new systems’ effectiveness. For instance, according to The Post, the Rubikon drone unit saw activity drop sharply after the restrictions, as it had used Starlink to extend drone strike ranges and coordinate attacks deep behind Ukrainian lines.
The Institute for the Study of War noted that Rubikon had stopped posting geographic details about its strikes on Telegram, a sign that SpaceX’s decision to restrict Starlink access for Russian forces is hindering Moscow’s strike campaigns. Russian troops are now scrambling for alternatives, though none currently match Starlink’s “speed, mobility, and reliability on the battlefield.” Analysts reportedly suggest that the weakening of Russia’s battlefield strength could give Ukraine an advantage as the United States presses for a negotiated resolution to the conflict.