Ukraine pushes Russia back on front line where Starlink has played key role

What the report says

BBC World News reports that Ukrainian forces have regained ground in the Donbas during Operation Vivaldi, a months-long counteroffensive centred near Lyman in eastern Ukraine. According to commanders cited by BBC correspondent Dan Johnson, the operation has recaptured 277 sq km, helped stop a Russian pincer threat to key Ukrainian-held cities, and led to the liberation of 16 settlements. Ukrainian officials also said the offensive involved heavy drone use, remote-controlled vehicles and extensive battlefield communications supported by Starshield, the military version of Starlink.

The report says the fighting remains dangerous and costly, with Russian drones still active and Ukrainian troops describing constant surveillance and attacks. Ukrainian commanders told the BBC that the operation required major preparation and a shift from defence to attack. The article also notes claims from Kyiv that Russian losses were significant, while Moscow has not publicly acknowledged the Ukrainian gains and has said only that it was repelling attacks in the area.

A separate concern raised in the piece is the recent restriction placed on Starshield access, which Ukraine said arrived without warning. The BBC says this has added to worries in Kyiv about dependence on US-linked technology and intelligence. The article links that unease to deteriorating relations between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, even as Ukrainian soldiers on the ground expressed confidence the operation has improved their prospects.