Finance
Russian official acknowledges Starlink systems down for two weeks
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Starlink systems used by the Russian military have been down for two weeks, but operations remain unaffected. Ukraine highlights the importance of these systems for communication.
Russian Military Confirms Starlink Terminals Inoperative for Two Weeks
Impact of Starlink Disruption on Military Operations
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Starlink terminals used by the Russian military have not been in operation for two weeks, but the disconnection has had no effect on its drone operations, a senior Russian military official said on Tuesday.
Russian Military's Response
"Starlink terminals have been down for two weeks, but this has not affected the intensity or effectiveness of the troops' unmanned systems, as confirmed by data from objective monitoring of damage to enemy equipment and personnel," Deputy Defence Minister Aleksei Krivoruchko told State Television.
Ukrainian Officials' Observations
The Russian acknowledgement was made nearly two weeks after Ukrainian officials said the terminals used by the Russian military had been disconnected.
Importance of Starlink for Ukraine
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the terminals had been disconnected and other Ukrainian officials said the effect on Russian operations had been considerable.
Ukraine's military relies on tens of thousands of satellite-based Starlink connections for battlefield communication and for piloting some drone missions.
It said this month it had found Starlink terminals, produced by the company SpaceX, on long-range drones used in Russian attacks.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Starlink terminals used by Russia are inoperative for two weeks.
- •Russian military operations remain unaffected by the disruption.
- •Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink for military communications.
- •Starlink terminals found on Russian drones by Ukraine.
- •The situation highlights the strategic importance of satellite communications.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian official acknowledges Starlink systems down for two weeks
1What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access globally, particularly in underserved areas.
2What are drone operations?
Drone operations refer to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and military applications.
3What is a military operation?
A military operation is a coordinated military action undertaken by armed forces to achieve specific objectives, often involving strategic planning and execution.
