Ukraine takes back 201 square kilometers of land after Russian Starlink internet stops working

Ukraine took back 201 square kilometers of land in just five days last week. This is the fastest they have moved forward in two and a half years because Russian soldiers could not use the internet to talk.
By Newsroom | Military News, Ukraine |

Kyiv's forces achieved their most rapid territorial gains in roughly two and a half years over a five-day period last week. This advance coincided with reports of disruptions to Starlink satellite internet services for Russian military units, potentially hindering their communication and coordination.

Kyiv made its fastest battlefield gain in 2.5 years, taking advantage of Starlink cut for Russian forces - 1

Context of Recent Military Activity

Between Wednesday and Sunday of the previous week, Ukrainian forces reclaimed approximately 201 square kilometers (78 square miles) of territory. This marks a notable shift in battlefield control, with Moscow currently occupying about 19.5 percent of Ukrainian land, a slight increase from 18.6 percent a year prior.

Kyiv made its fastest battlefield gain in 2.5 years, taking advantage of Starlink cut for Russian forces - 2

The period of Ukrainian advance began around February 12th and concluded on February 16th, 2026, based on an analysis by Agence France-Presse (AFP) using data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). During this time, Russian forces reportedly made advances only on February 9th, prior to the reported Starlink disruptions.

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Kyiv made its fastest battlefield gain in 2.5 years, taking advantage of Starlink cut for Russian forces - 3

AFP's analysis, drawing from ISW data, indicates that Ukraine's recapture of 201 square kilometers is its largest gain in this timeframe. The analysis points to a "Starlink shutdown for Russian forces" as a key factor enabling this Ukrainian success.

Kyiv made its fastest battlefield gain in 2.5 years, taking advantage of Starlink cut for Russian forces - 4

  • Territorial Recapture: Ukraine gained 201 square kilometers between Wednesday and Sunday last week.

  • Timeline: This period represents 2.5 years of the fastest battlefield gain for Ukraine.

  • Russian Advances: Russian forces reportedly advanced only on February 9th, preceding the main period of Ukrainian gains.

  • Starlink Factor: Experts suggest Ukraine likely took advantage of a recent shutdown of Russian forces’ access to Starlink.

Reports suggest that the disruption of Starlink services significantly impacted Russian military operations. Russian military bloggers have claimed that the blockage has led to problems with battlefield communications and command and control. Ukrainian forces have previously alleged that Russian drones utilize systems to bypass electronic jamming and strike targets precisely. The absence of reliable Starlink communication could have left Russian units more vulnerable to coordinated Ukrainian attacks.

  • The disruption of Starlink for Russian forces appears to be a critical factor in Ukraine's recent territorial gains.

  • This disruption likely impeded Russian communication and command, creating an opportunity for Ukrainian forces to advance.

Broader Implications and Previous Activity

While the recent gains are significant, the overall territorial control in the conflict remains a complex picture. Moscow still holds a substantial portion of Ukrainian land. Previous reports, such as those from November 2024, indicated that Russian forces were accelerating gains along the front lines in eastern Ukraine. These earlier reports also mentioned that some Russian units attacking Kharkiv were redirected to Kursk.

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The situation is further complicated by internal Ukrainian affairs, including an ongoing corruption investigation involving a former energy minister, German Galushchenko. Accusations of kickbacks and offshore millions have emerged, a case that has involved international cooperation and has touched upon President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's inner circle. While not directly linked to the battlefield gains, these domestic issues add another layer of complexity to Ukraine's wartime governance.

Expert Observations and Data Sources

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), in collaboration with the Critical Threats Project, is a key source for this analysis. Experts from the ISW believe that Ukraine's counterattacks were likely enabled by the recent issues with Russian Starlink access.

"These Ukrainian counterattacks are likely leveraging the recent block on Russian forces' access to Starlink, which Russian milbloggers (military bloggers) have claimed is causing communications and command and control issues on the battlefield," stated the ISW.

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

Ukraine's recent rapid territorial gains represent a significant military achievement, potentially capitalizing on a reported disruption of Starlink services for Russian forces. The precise duration and scope of the Starlink disruption remain points of interest, as does the full extent of its impact on Russian operational capabilities. The conflict continues to be dynamic, with territorial control fluctuating and wider geopolitical and domestic factors playing a role.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much land did Ukraine take back between February 12 and February 16, 2026?
Ukraine took back 201 square kilometers (78 square miles) of land during those five days. This is the fastest territorial gain the Ukrainian army has made in two and a half years.
Q: Why did the Starlink internet stop working for Russian soldiers during the battle?
Reports from experts show that Starlink satellite internet was shut down or blocked for Russian military units. This caused big problems for Russian leaders who could not send orders or talk to their troops.
Q: How did the lack of Starlink internet help the Ukrainian army move forward?
Without the internet, Russian soldiers could not use their drones or coordinate their defense. Ukraine used this confusion to attack and win back land while the Russian communication system was broken.
Q: What percentage of Ukraine does Russia still control after the recent Ukrainian gains?
Russia still controls about 19.5 percent of Ukrainian land. While Ukraine won back 201 square kilometers last week, Russia still holds slightly more land now than it did one year ago.