Russian casualties rising in Ukraine after Starlink blockage

After Elon Musk’s SpaceX blocked Russia’s illegal use of its Starlink satellite Internet service on February 1, Russian casualties have drastically risen. A Ukrainian intelligence official told the New York Post yesterday that the ratio of casualties between Russian and Ukrainian troops is usually 5:1 or 8:1, but with Starlink down, it is 13:1. Blocking Russia from Starlink has coincided with Ukrainian troops reclaiming territory faster than in 2024 or 2025, including close to 80 square miles between Wednesday and Sunday, according to one analysis. Though Ukraine’s position remains dire, the development illustrates the power of tech companies like SpaceX and the reliance of modern militaries on information technology.