Russian troops have significantly improved operational coordination and efficiency due to the proliferation of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, The Washington Post has reported. In 2022,

Ukraine’s outgunned and outmanned army had one major advantage over its enemy, internet through Starlink terminals. Now the Russians have it, too.

SpaceX initially provided free Starlink connections to Ukraine after Russia ’s invasion in 2022 but later threatened to cut services due to high costs, eventually billing the Pentagon $14.1 million (£10.8 million) for six months of service.

Illegal Starlink terminals from the American company SpaceX are contributing to Russia's advance on the battlefield in Ukraine, particularly during the seizure of Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast. Source: The Washington Post with reference to the Ukrainian military Details: According to The Washington Post,

Russian troops, despite U.S. efforts to stop the flow of technology, continue using illegally obtained Starlink satellite communication terminals at

Russian forces continue to use illegally obtained Starlink satellite communication terminals on the battlefield, despite U.S. efforts to prevent the technology from reaching them, according to The Washington Post.

Russian forces are using black-market Starlink internet terminals en masse on the front lines in Ukraine, contributing to territorial gains, the Washington Post (WP) reported on Oct. 12. Elon Musk's company SpaceX began providing Starlink terminals to Ukraine shortly after the full-scale invasion,

Illegal Starlink terminals helped Russia advance on the frontline. In particular, they helped the Russians capture Vuhledar, reports The Washington Post. The newspaper notes that the Ukrainian army used to have the main advantage over the Russians,