2026-02-06 | UPDATES #126 | Have Starlinks really been switched off on Russia’s side? What impact will this have, and what might have led to this step. This could be a catastrophe for Russia, if the worst case is realised, but what is really happening on the frontlines? Today, why Musk and Starlink keeps becoming a battleground for Russia’s war for domination against Ukraine.Russian Starlinks went dark. here’s what that means. If you’ve seen the headline “Starlink switched off for Russia” — you may have wondered if this was a real story. The deep focus version of the story is sharper, more interesting and more damning: Ukraine says Starlink terminals being used by Russian forces inside Ukraine’s battlespace have been deactivated — after a rapid “whitelist” push designed to keep verified Ukrainian terminals online and unauthorised terminals offline. (Reuters)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters — “Ukraine says Starlink terminals used by Russia deactivated in blow to Moscow” (5 Feb 2026). Ministry of Defence of Ukraine — Guidance on registering/verification of Starlink terminals (5 Feb 2026).Ukrinform — Ukraine introduces Starlink ‘white list’ / verification (2 Feb 2026).Euronews — SpaceX/Ukraine move to block Russian Starlink use; Fedorov statements (2 Feb 2026).Le Monde — Report on Starlink-equipped drones, moving-target risk, and countermeasures (4 Feb 2026). The Record (Recorded Future News) — Whitelist + speed restriction framing (5 Feb 2026). Reuters — “Ukraine says Russian forces obtaining Musk’s Starlink via third countries” (12 Feb 2024). Reuters — “Russia using thousands of SpaceX Starlink terminals in Ukraine, WSJ says” (15 Feb 2024). Reuters Investigations — “Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory…” (25 Jul 2025). Reuters — Coverage of Crimea/Starlink dispute and escalation concerns (8 Sep 2023). The Guardian — EU warning about disinformation ratio on X (context on platform risk) (26 Sep 2023). Reuters — EU regulatory scrutiny / DSA-related reporting on X (context) (26 Jan 2026). ----------