Ukraine war: Why is Starlink internet so important on the battlefield?

Starlink satellites operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX provide high-speed internet, a crucial element in modern warfare. Kyiv has adopted Starlink as a vital communications tool on the battlefield and utilizes it in drone warfare. With Starlink, Ukrainian drones can maintain stronger connections with operators over longer distances than conventional radio networks, making them less vulnerable to jamming.

However, a sudden speed restriction for drones connected to Starlink has disrupted some battlefield missions, according to Serhiy Beskrestnov, a top Ukrainian official. He noted that officials were not informed about the 100 mph (160 km/h) speed limits imposed overnight by SpaceX. This throttling makes Ukrainian efforts to intercept jet-powered Russian drones nearly impossible, as stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Starlink is described as "the backbone of military communications in Ukraine" by George Barros, the ISW's Director of Innovation and Open Source Tradecraft. It is utilized across Kyiv's naval, land, and air forces. Barros explained that the technology allows drones, artillery, and command posts to function as a single real-time network, minimizing the time between sensor and shooter.