Russia has been using unregistered/illegal starlink units because the Russian systems do not work. Musk is now only allowing authorized/whitelisted units to work which is hurting the Russian military operations.
Starlink Shutdown: Musk Throws Russian Forces Into Chaos
www.forbes.com/sites/davidh...
— Samuel Bendett (@sambendett.bsky.social) 2026-02-06T14:10:48.756Z
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2026/02/06/starlink-shutdown-musk-throws-russian-forces-into-chaos/
The Russian invasion force is in disarray following the deactivation of its Starlink satellite communications. Meanwhile Ukrainians are rushing to get their terminals whitelisted to maintain the service.
Both sides have made extensive use of the commercial Starlink service, which provides long-range, jam-resistant communication. Now the service operated by SpaceX is being denied to the Russians, and only terminals officially registered in Ukraine will work.
The Starlink terminals added to the whitelist are working. The Russians terminals have already been blocked, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in a statement on Thursday,
The effect on the Russians has been catastrophic, with some units reporting 90% loss of internet communications. There have reportedly been a rash of friendly fire incidents as the Russians struggle to tell friend from foe.
All command and control of the [Russian] troops has collapsed. Assault operations have been halted in many areas, stated Serhii Flash Beskrestnov, electronic warfare expert and adviser to Fedorov.