NewsWorld newsRussia Ukraine warA stunning Ukrainian operation to cripple Russian communications earned a major battlefield victory - with Kremlin forces turning on each other in the confusion10:11, 22 May 2026Ukraine forces gained at least 150 square miles in territory from Russian troops after Kyiv spooks disabled Moscow’s radio communications.‌Russian troops had been using stolen Starlink satellite technology for attack drones and talking to commanders until Ukraine disconnected the links. But chaos-hit Kremlin forces, suddenly unable to use Starlink, were prevented from communicating and in some cases the confusion sparked friendly fire incidents.‌Moscow had even fitted strike drones with Starlink technology for its Molniya-2 attack weapons- and now even they may have been made obsolete. Declassified US intelligence says Ukraine disabled the Starlink terminals, sparking chaos on the frontline and prompting soldiers to shoot at each other amid the confusion as troops couldn’t speak to each other. It was revealed as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russia still represents a major threat of attack from the north, following its joint military exercises with Belarus.‌READ MORE: Ukraine spies uncover major Kremlin smear campaign against ZelenskyREAD MORE: Ukraine gains upper hand in horror frontline battles against Russia as Zelensky plots more attacksSources said Russia had come to rely on smuggled technology to run the frontline but the Starlink operation disabling the US-owned technology has devastated their communications. Ukraine has continued to hit Russian energy infrastructure but Moscow’s forces fired 116 drones and one ballistic missile into Ukraine overnight, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War.The latest ISW assessment of the war says Ukraine has hammered Moscow’s energy industry, suggesting “that virtually all major oil refineries in central Russia have halted or scaled back their fuel output following recent Ukrainian drone strikes.” Its latest report says that in addition: “. . . the Kirishi Oil Refinery in Leningrad Oblast, one of Russia's largest oil refineries that has a processing capacity of 20 million metric tons per year, has fully halted operations since May 5.‌READ MORE: Ukraine spies uncover major Kremlin smear campaign against ZelenskyREAD MORE: Ukraine gains upper hand in horror frontline battles against Russia as Zelensky plots more attacks“Ukrainian forces struck the Kirishi refinery on the night of May 4 to 5.” It means the Kremlin is now tapping into its gold reserves to pay for the war.But Zelensky has warned Kyiv has had to send extra troops to guard against Russian attack from the north, citing the February full-scale invasion in 2022. He said: “The threats that existed in the first days of the full-scale war have not decreased even now. Everyone understands perfectly well that Ukraine cannot allow even one percent of the risks for our people that existed back then, in February 2022.”‌Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has been ordered to bolster air defence systems and anti-drone protection in the north. It has also boosted defence fortifications. Russia and Belarus have just completed combined nuclear exercises on May 21, highlighting Russia’s ability to leverage Belarus for future Russian military operations and Russia’s deepening control over Belarus.Ukraine has rushed extra forces towards the Belarus border to guard against a major operation. President Zelensky said: "We have the capability to strengthen our defence and we also have the ability to carry out preventive actions regarding Russian territory – from where threats may come.‌"And regarding the actual leadership of Belarus, which must stay alert, meaning it must clearly understand that there will be consequences if there are aggressive actions against Ukraine and our people.”The Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen Moscow lose well over a million troops to death and injury, prompting hge recruitment shortages as Putin tries to maintain power. The Moscow economy has been smashed by Ukraine's repeated attacks on its energy depots and oil centres which are used to pay for Putin's war.Article continues belowChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌SoldiersRussia Ukraine warVladimir PutinVolodymyr Zelensky