Ukraine Achieves Rapid Battlefield Gains in 2.5 Years

In a significant development on the battlefield, Ukraine has reclaimed 201 square kilometers (78 square miles) of territory from Russian forces between Wednesday and Sunday last week. This remarkable recovery is attributed to the disruption of Russian military communications, particularly due to a recent Starlink shutdown.

Key Battlefield Gains by Ukraine

According to an analysis conducted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the area regained by Ukrainian forces is nearly equal to all the land captured by Russia during December. This marks the most substantial territorial recuperation for Kyiv’s military in a condensed timeframe since its counter-offensive launched in June 2023.

Impact of Starlink Shutdown

• The recent blockade on Russian access to Starlink technology has been pivotal.
• Military bloggers from Russia reported significant confusion in communications due to this disruption.
• On February 5, the military noted issues with the Starlink antennas used by Russian forces along the front lines.

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, previously announced measures intended to prevent the Kremlin from utilizing Starlink. The technology was reportedly used by Russian drones to bypass electronic jamming systems and accurately strike their targets. Following the Starlink disruption, Russian advances halted on February 9, while Ukraine continued to gain ground in the ensuing days.

Geographic Context of the Gains

The territory regained by Ukraine is primarily located about 80 kilometers east of Zaporizhzhia. This region had seen significant Russian advancements since the summer of 2025. Prior to this recovery, Moscow held control over approximately 19.5 percent of Ukrainian land, either fully or partially, as of mid-February, up from 18.6 percent one year earlier.

Historical Context of Control

Before the Russian invasion began in February 2022, around 7 percent of Ukrainian territory—including Crimea and parts of the Donbas—was already under Russian control. This recent surge in Ukrainian territory reclaimed signifies a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict.

As conflicts in Ukraine continue to evolve, the international community remains watchful of both military tactics and the effectiveness of technology in warfare.