"They just overpowered us," an officer in the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, one of the units defending Vuhledar, told The Washington Post. The officer said Russia's access to Starlink was a key factor in the loss of the city.

Illegal Starlink terminals from the American company SpaceX are contributing to Russia's advance on the battlefield in Ukraine, particularly during the seizure of Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast. Source: The Washington Post with reference to the Ukrainian military Details: According to The Washington Post,

Illegal Starlink terminals helped Russia advance on the frontline. In particular, they helped the Russians capture Vuhledar, reports The Washington Post. The newspaper notes that the Ukrainian army used to have the main advantage over the Russians,

Russian forces continue to use illegally obtained Starlink satellite communication terminals on the battlefield, despite U.S. efforts to prevent the technology from reaching them, according to The Washington Post.

Russian forces are illegally acquiring Starlink terminals to achieve technological parity with Ukraine, writes the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report. By illegally acquiring Starlink terminals,

Russian forces are illegally acquiring Starlink terminals to achieve technological parity with Ukraine, writes the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report. By unlawfully obtaining Starlink terminals,