Russian forces fighting in Ukraine are facing communications problems from the dual blow of throttled access to Elon Musk¡¯s Starlink mobile internet system and a Kremlin crackdown on the Telegram messenger service.

The sudden loss of the services has hampered frontline operations, according to complaints on pro-Russian military channels that are corroborated by Ukraine and European diplomats and analysts. That¡¯s as Kyiv¡¯s allies say its forces are inflicting heavier losses on Russia¡¯s troops.

Musk said at the beginning of February that SpaceX had taken successful steps to prevent what he called ¡°the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia.¡± That cut Russian forces off from Starlink terminals that had been smuggled into the country and deployed to combat zones in Ukraine for military communications and drone operations.