Elon Musk says the „entire frontline“ in Ukraine would collapse if he chose to turn off his Starlink internet system. Elsewhere, Russian special forces reportedly crept through a gas pipeline to launch a surprise attack on Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk. Listen to Trump 100 as you scroll.
Sunday 9 March 2025 16:28, UK
Senior Western and Ukrainian officials have indicated that the pause on US intelligence to Ukraine has already helped Russian forces advance in the battlefield.
An „unspecified“ officer has also told Time that the US pause on military aid has left Ukrainian forces unable to use „some of their best weapons systems“.
Meanwhile, a source in the Ukrainian government is reported to have stated that Ukrainian operations in Kursk have been impacted the most, and that Ukrainian forces have lost the ability to detect Russian aircraft approaching Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War said – while it cannot independently verify the statements on the ground – it continues to assess that the complete suspension of US intelligence sharing would damage Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russia’s offensive operations.
Pro-Russian military bloggers have said Russian special forces recently walked miles along the inside of a major gas pipeline before surprising Ukrainian forces near Sudzha (see our 9.53am post).
Footage circulating on Telegram appears to show the soldiers creeping through a disused gas pipeline for several miles to launch the surprise attack.
Watch the video below…
Earlier, we told you Latvia’s president has urged European countries to „absolutely“ introduce conscription, as he conceded the continent was „quite weak“ militarily (see our 8.50am post).
But senior cabinet minister Pat McFadden has told Sky News the UK is not considering conscription.
„We’re not considering conscription, but of course, we’ve announced a major increase in defence expenditure a couple of weeks ago – and we do have to recognise that the world has changed here,“ he said on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.
Asked if the UK’s military will increase in size, McFadden said it’s best to wait for the strategic defence review before nailing down where the spending increase will go.
But he notes that „you would not spend that money today on the same things as you would 10 years ago“.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia has carried out „hundreds of attacks“ against Ukrainians this week.
Posting on X, Ukraine’s president said „around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles“ had been used by Moscow.
He said: „Every day, we work with our partners to ensure that decisions are made to provide life-saving support: air defence systems, investments in our defence production, and the strengthening of sanctions against Russia.
„We continue our efforts to bring a just peace closer and ensure reliable security guarantees.“
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said last Friday was one of 2025’s deadliest attacks for Ukrainian civilians, with at least 22 people killed in various Russian attacks.
By Deborah Haynes, security and defence editor, and Azad Safarov, Ukraine producer
It „cuts my heart“ and is a „betrayal“.
This was the response of a Ukrainian soldier in a frontline combat regiment directly affected by Donald Trump’s decision to pause US military support to Ukraine.
Serhii, 45, maintains a unit of US-supplied Bradley infantry fighting vehicles that are defending an area of eastern Ukraine from attacking Russian forces.
The halt to American military aid – if sustained – means there will be no new ammunition and no ability to repair any of the vehicles when they are damaged – a constant risk.
On a recent mission by the 425th Storming Regiment „Skala“, three Bradleys went into battle towards the direction of the city of Pokrovsk, an area of heavy clashes.
Only two returned after the other was hit by the Russian side.
„It’s going to be very hard,“ Serhii said, standing next to a large Bradley, covered by a camouflage net and tucked under a line of trees in the Donetsk region.
„These vehicles are really good. You can fight back with them. And not just defend, you can even advance. It’s a shame we didn’t have this equipment two or three years ago.“
Elon Musk says the „entire frontline“ in Ukraine would collapse if he chose to turn off his Starlink internet system.
Starlink terminals have played a vital role in securing communications in the war in Ukraine, with most battlefield positions equipped with their own terminal.
Last year, Ukraine said around 42,000 terminals were in operation across the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organisations.
US negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to the service, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in February.
Posting on X, Musk said Starlink was the „backbone of the Ukrainian army“ and the „entire front line would collapse if I turned it off“.
He said he was „sickened by… years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose“.
Poland, which pays for Ukraine’s Starlink internet services, said it may seek an alternative if Musk’s company proves to be „unreliable“.
„The ethics of threatening the victim of aggression apart, if SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we will be forced to look for other suppliers,“ said Warsaw’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
Here are the latest images we’re receiving from the frontline in Ukraine.
An artillery crew is seen firing towards Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.
Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev has weighed in on the latest developments in Kursk.
Reports suggest Russian troops are making significant territorial gains in the region and could be close to forcing Ukraine into a tactical retreat (see 09.53am post).
Posting on Telegram, Medvedev said Russian forces in Kursk had given Russian women reason to celebrate yesterday on International Women’s Day.
„The lid of the smoking cauldron is almost closed,“ he added.
„The offensive continues.“
The European Union remains committed to entirely phasing out the supply of Russian gas, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says.
„I commit very clearly to phasing out the Russian gas … this is an absolute must,“ she told reporters in Brussels.
„We’ve been successful, but we always see of course that there are loopholes where we have to be careful and we have to work on.“
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On this special Q&A episode of Trump 100, our US correspondents James Matthews and David Blevins read through questions from listeners.
They are asked if the war in Ukraine could spill into Europe, and if Donald Trump can be an impartial negotiator, or is self-interest driving his decisions? And one listener compares Trump to a certain Hollywood character… but who?
You can email James, Martha, and Mark at trump100@sky.uk.
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Ukraine war latest: Musk says he could 'collapse' Ukraine frontline with Starlink decision – Sky News
