Starlink Outage Highlights Ukraine's Military Communication Vulnerabilities

Starlink systems used by Ukrainian military units experienced a two-and-a-half hour outage due to a global software issue. The incident, which disrupted communication and drone operations, emphasized the risks of dependency on satellite internet. Ukrainian commanders called for diversification of communication methods to mitigate future risks.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 25-07-2025 19:13 IST | Created: 25-07-2025 19:13 IST
Starlink Outage Highlights Ukraine's Military Communication Vulnerabilities
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The Ukrainian military faced significant communication challenges when Starlink systems experienced a global outage lasting two and a half hours. The issue, attributed to an internal software failure, interrupted crucial battlefield communications.

Ukrainian forces, reliant on thousands of SpaceX's Starlink terminals, suffered delays in drone operations and reconnaissance missions, compelling some to postpone combat operations. Starlink later acknowledged the disruption and promised to implement a solution.

The incident has highlighted the risks inherent in relying on satellite-based internet services for military operations, prompting calls for diversified communication and connectivity strategies. The Ukrainian government has continued its heavy investment in Starlink systems, despite these apparent vulnerabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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