Ukraine war briefing: Russia’s army records slowest advance since 2024 amid Starlink cut, data shows
In February 2024 Russia’s army logged its slowest territorial gain on the Ukrainian front in nearly two years, coinciding with a loss of Starlink connectivity. Ukrainian troops achieved several localized breakthroughs, especially in the south, while diplomatic talks and energy disputes added furthe…
Russia’s armed forces advanced only 123 square kilometres on the Ukrainian front in February 2024, the smallest gain recorded since April 2024, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War cited by AFP. The slowdown aligns with a loss of access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet, which Ukrainian officials say crippled Russian command‑and‑control capabilities.
Ukrainian gains on the southern and eastern fronts
Ukrainian troops registered a series of localized advances during the same month. On 15 February Kyiv’s forces pushed forward by 61 square kilometres, followed by gains of more than 50 square kilometres on both 21 and 23 February. The most notable successes occurred along the southern front, where Ukrainian units reclaimed territory in the Dnipropetrovsk region, forcing Russian units to retreat.
In the east, however, Russian forces continued a methodical push toward the strategic cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Donetsk oblast. While the overall advance was modest, the proximity to these hubs signals Moscow’s intent to pressure Ukrainian defenses in a region that remains contested.
Impact of the Starlink shutdown
In early February, SpaceX’s Starlink terminals, which had been widely used by Russian units for secure communications, were disabled after the United States pressured the company to halt service to the Kremlin. Ukrainian intelligence analysts argue that the loss of high‑bandwidth, low‑latency links hampered Russian situational awareness, slowing reconnaissance, targeting and logistical coordination. The reduction in operational tempo is reflected in the February advance figures, marking the first measurable effect of the Starlink cut on the ground.
Parallel developments: energy attacks and diplomatic moves
While front‑line dynamics shifted, the war’s peripheral arenas saw heightened activity. On 12 February a Ukrainian drone strike hit the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia’s principal Black Sea crude‑export hub. The attack reportedly damaged six of seven loading facilities, set a fuel depot ablaze and injured five workers. Russian officials confirmed the incident but downplayed any impact on military assets. The terminal typically loads around 700,000 barrels of oil per day, making the strike a symbolic blow to Russia’s energy export capacity.
Concurrently, diplomatic overtures continued. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that U.S‑mediated peace talks could move to Switzerland or Turkey later this week if a planned meeting in Abu Dhabi proves unfeasible due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Zelenskyy also warned that Western supplies of air‑defence missiles to Kyiv remain uninterrupted despite the Gaza war, underscoring the importance of maintaining Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Peace negotiations remain stalled over Moscow’s demand that Kyiv cede the remaining parts of the Donbas region still under Ukrainian control. Both sides have accused each other of intransigence, and no concrete timetable for a settlement has emerged.
Human cost and regional repercussions
Russian missile strikes killed at least eight civilians across Ukraine on Monday, including an attack on a passenger train. In the eastern city of Kramatorsk, three civilians died as Russian forces closed in on the city’s outskirts. Further north, two people were killed and 13 wounded in Druzhkivka, a town in the Donetsk region.
Energy politics spilled over into Central Europe. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for an urgent meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine and Hungary to restart oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude to several European countries. Fico blamed Kyiv for delays, citing a Russian attack on pumping stations in western Ukraine in late January, while Kyiv argued that repairs require time.
On the diplomatic front, Zelenskyy urged the European Union to set a firm accession date for Ukraine, arguing that a clear timetable would cement the country’s security future. Hungary continues to block unanimous approval of the accession “clusters,” slowing the process that began when Ukraine received candidate status shortly after the 2022 invasion.
Financially, Ukraine received the first $1.5 billion tranche of a four‑year International Monetary Fund extended fund facility, announced Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The funds are earmarked for priority spending and macro‑financial stability as Kyiv prepares for the upcoming EU negotiations.
Overall, February 2024 marked a turning point where battlefield momentum, technology denial, energy targeting and diplomatic maneuvering intersected, shaping the next phase of the conflict.
Why it matters
The February slowdown shows how cutting Russian communications can directly affect battlefield performance, while Ukraine’s localized gains and diplomatic pushes keep the war’s outcome uncertain.
Key points
- Russia’s advance in February 2024 fell to 123 sq km, the slowest since April 2024
- Ukrainian forces achieved multiple local breakthroughs, especially in Dnipropetrovsk
- Starlink shutdown is linked to the reduced Russian tempo on the front
- Ukrainian drone strike damaged Russia’s key Sheskharis oil terminal
- Peace talks remain deadlocked over Donbas, with possible venues shifting to Switzerland or Turkey
Frequently asked questions
What caused Russia’s slowest advance on the Ukrainian front in February 2024?
Analysts attribute the slowdown to the loss of Starlink satellite internet, which limited Russian command, control and reconnaissance capabilities.
Which Ukrainian gains were recorded in February 2024?
Ukraine reported a 61 sq km gain on 15 Feb and two separate advances of over 50 sq km on 21 Feb and 23 Feb, mainly along the southern front in Dnipropetrovsk.
What happened at the Sheskharis oil terminal?
A Ukrainian drone strike hit the terminal in Novorossiysk, damaging most loading facilities, igniting a fuel fire and injuring five workers.
Are there upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine?
U.S.–mediated talks are expected later this week, potentially in Switzerland or Turkey if the Abu Dhabi meeting cannot proceed.
How is Ukraine’s EU accession progressing?
Zelenskyy urged the EU to set a firm accession date, but Hungary’s veto on unanimous approval of accession clusters continues to delay the process.
