Not all is lost: what Russia could use to replace Starlink on frontline
Photo: Starlink (Getty Images)
After unauthorized Starlink terminals were blocked in Ukraine, Russian forces faced a systemic communications crisis. Attempts to urgently switch to alternative satellite solutions only highlighted the depth of Russia’s technological problems, according to DEFENSE EXPRESS.
Strike on command and drones
The blocking of Starlink deprived Russian forces of a key tool: stable and fast satellite internet. Previously, it allowed real-time video streaming from drones and maintained communications between small assault units and command.
These capabilities are now effectively lost, and replacement through cable connections or Wi-Fi bridges at the front is largely unrealistic.
Geostationary satellites as weak alternative
One of Russia’s main substitutes for Starlink is the communication satellite system based on the “Yamal” series. However, their geostationary orbit causes high signal latency, up to one second or more.
In addition, these terminals require high-powered transmission, are bulky, and are vulnerable to electronic intelligence and jamming.
Speed and traffic limitations
Even the declared specifications of Russian systems cannot support stable drone video feeds. Low data transfer rates, strict traffic limits, and high energy consumption make them unsuitable for modern drone- and digitally driven warfare.
Future projects without guarantees
Low-Earth orbit satellite constellations being developed in Russia currently exist only on paper. Launch timelines are repeatedly delayed, and actual deployment capabilities remain uncertain. Military satellites also cannot provide tactical-level communications due to complexity, cost, and limited terminal numbers.
The effective loss of Starlink has shown that existing and prospective Russian satellite systems cannot fully replace modern Western solutions. This severely limits troop command and drone operations even now, amid ongoing combat.
Russian forces are attempting to find ways to reactivate Starlink terminals on the front, exploring primitive and ineffective schemes, including registering through shell organizations or using captured equipment.
The Starlink shutdown is expected to force Russian units to reduce the intensity of strikes on Ukrainian logistics, particularly in the Pokrovske direction, where satellite communication was widely used to coordinate and guide drones.
