Earlier, all Starlink satellite communications systems in and around Ukraine were limited only to registered users, largely stopping Russian use of the systems. Before that, Moscow depended on Kyiv's terminals during the attacks on Ukrainian cities, using the connection that the country had.
SpaceX updated a "whitelist" of approved and verified Ukrainian terminals, while unapproved Russian systems were blocked. Currently, Russia lacks a satellite internet system that matches Starlink's speed, coverage, and ease of deployment. The only alternative it presents is the Yamal satellite network.
