Starlink restrictions hit Russian forces as Moscow seeks workarounds

Ukraine implemented a national verification system to restrict unauthorized Starlink use in its territory, which officials say has disrupted Russian drone operations and reduced kamikaze strikes. Russian forces are reportedly seeking workarounds by paying or pressuring civilians to register terminals, while Ukraine warns such cooperation is criminal. A Ukrainian hacker group claims it impersonated a service to restore deactivated terminals, collecting device coordinates and payments from Russian soldiers and sharing the data with authorities. The report highlights evolving tactics around satellite internet access, social engineering, and countermeasures in the conflict.