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Ukrainian Forces Launch Counterattacks as Russian Starlink and Telegram Communications Falter
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian forces are conducting localized counterattacks near the boundary between the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, likely taking advantage of communication disruptions affecting Russian troops, according to a report released by the Institute for the Study of War on February 12.
“Ukrainian forces are conducting localized and opportunistic counterattacks near the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, likely capitalizing on recent disruptions to Russian Starlink terminals and Telegram,” ISW analysts wrote.
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Geolocated footage published on February 12 shows Russian strikes targeting Ukrainian positions east of the Haichur River, including areas east and south of Dobropillia and north of Varvarivka, northwest of Huliaipole.
According to ISW, the imagery indicates that Ukrainian units had previously held these positions and are now carrying out limited counterattacks aimed at restoring connectivity between isolated strongpoints along the front line.
Analysts suggested that Russian forces may have bypassed some Ukrainian positions during earlier advances, creating the appearance of broader territorial gains than were actually secured. ISW said it has been tracking reports of limited Ukrainian counterattacks in the area since February 9.
Russian military bloggers initially portrayed the activity as a full-scale “Ukrainian counteroffensive,” though Ukrainian military sources and some Russian commentators later acknowledged that the actions were limited in scope and scale.
“Meanwhile, Russian ‘war correspondents’ continue to claim that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking north and northwest of Huliaipole, but note that the situation on the ground remains unclear due to deteriorating Russian frontline communications,” the report said.
ISW assessed that the Ukrainian counterattacks may be linked to broader disruptions in Russian command-and-control systems.
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Russian military bloggers also complained about communication difficulties following restrictions on access to Telegram beginning February 9. According to their accounts, simultaneous problems with both Starlink and Telegram significantly degraded coordination among Russian frontline units.
ISW concluded that Ukrainian forces appear to be exploiting these weaknesses in Russian command and communication systems to improve their tactical position in this sector of the front.
Earlier, reports emerged that up to fifty Russian troops remain encircled by Ukrainian Defense Forces in the city of Kupiansk in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
The overall situation on the Northern Slobozhanshchyna axis, including in Kupiansk itself, is stable and favorable for Ukrainian forces. The encircled Russian contingent has little room to maneuver and no clear path to escape.
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