Russian drones lose guidance after Starlink access is abruptly cut off in Ukraine

Modern warfare in Ukraine is increasingly shaped by access to space-based infrastructure rather than sheer numbers of platforms on the battlefield. Control over satellite connectivity has become a decisive layer of power, determining which side can extend reach, precision, and resilience under electronic warfare pressure. Russia’s operations have long suffered from a structural weakness in this domain, forcing reliance on external systems to compensate for gaps in its own capabilities. This dependency created a temporary opening, but also a single point of failure that could be exploited once identified. The struggle over satellite access therefore reflects a broader contest over who controls the invisible enablers of modern combat. Against this backdrop, recent developments reveal how quickly a perceived advantage can collapse when it rests on infrastructure that lies outside national control.

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