Russian forces are encountering communication difficulties in the special military operation zone following a decision by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to restrict the use of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine. Access to the system is now limited to officially registered users, according to a report by The War Zone (TWZ).

Previously, satellite terminals were widely used by both sides of the conflict for data transmission and the coordination of combat operations. As the publication notes, units of the Russian Armed Forces relied on unregistered Starlink terminals, including installing them on drones to extend operational range and improve the reliability of communications.

After SpaceX moved to block these so-called «gray» terminals, Russian troops began experiencing disruptions in connectivity. Analysts cited by TWZ point out that Russia currently lacks a fully comparable alternative to Starlink in terms of performance and coverage.

The report says Russian forces are attempting to switch to Chinese satellite systems as well as services provided by Gazprom Space Systems. However, these options require significant technical refinement and time before they can be deployed effectively.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces are also facing communication issues in combat areas. Some of the satellite terminals they use have yet to complete the required registration process. According to the publication, all such devices are expected to undergo verification sooner or later, which should eventually resolve the problem.