Starlink, satellites and the future of conflict

Global Watch | 2026-01-16

As the war in Ukraine has demonstrated, space has become a critical domain in 21st-century warfare, where satellites and advanced technologies play a decisive role in shaping outcomes.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has provided Ukrainian forces with high-speed internet connectivity, enabling secure communications, real-time intelligence sharing and precision targeting. It has also ensured that civilians and government officials remain connected in areas where traditional infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian strikes.

This reliance on space-based technology has fundamentally changed the dynamics of modern warfare.

No longer is victory determined solely by the size of an army or the number of tanks on the ground. Instead, the ability to leverage advanced technologies, including satellite networks, has become a critical force multiplier.

For Ukraine, Starlink has been a lifeline, allowing it to punch far above its weight against a much larger adversary.

However, the reliance on systems like Starlink has also exposed the vulnerabilities of space infrastructure to hostile actions.

Recent intelligence reports suggest that Russia may be developing a new anti-satellite weapon designed to target the Starlink constellation.

Dubbed the "zone-effect" weapon, this system would allegedly release clouds of high-density pellets into Starlink's orbital paths, potentially disabling multiple satellites at once. Such a weapon would not only target Starlink but could also create uncontrollable chaos in space, endangering satellites from other nations, including Russia and its ally China.

The indiscriminate nature of such a weapon raises serious concerns. Space debris from an attack could damage critical systems like the International Space Station or China's Tiangong space station, creating a cascade of destruction that would affect all spacefaring nations.

This "weapon of fear" could deter adversaries without being deployed, but its use would risk catastrophic consequences for global space infrastructure.

Lessons for the future

While the feasibility of such a weapon remains in question, the implications of weaponizing space are profound, not just for Russia and Ukraine, but for the entire global order.

As space becomes increasingly central to military, economic and civilian life, protecting this domain from hostile actions must become a global priority.

For NATO and its allies, the lesson is clear -- space is no longer a secondary theater of operations, it is a primary domain that must be defended.

This requires investments in space resilience, including the development of countermeasures to protect satellites from physical and cyber threats. It also demands international cooperation to establish norms and agreements that prevent the weaponization of space and ensure its peaceful use.

For the United States, Europe, and their allies, maintaining space superiority is not just about protecting satellites, it is about preserving the strategic advantages that space provides. It also means recognizing that space is no longer a distant frontier but a critical component of national security.

The future of warfare will be fought as much in orbit as on the ground. Space is the new frontline, and its defense is essential to the security of nations and the preservation of peace.