loading . . . After Starlink cutoff, Russian forces turn to crowdfunding for slower Gazprom-linked alternatives Russia is scrambling to find replacements for Starlink terminals disabled for military use.
Ukrainian tech expert Serhii “Flash” says Russian-made satellite terminals that run on the Yamal and Express systems - which, the BBC notes , are owned by Gazprom-affiliated entities - are being shipped to the front in large numbers.
These terminals resemble standard satellite TV dishes - round or oval, 60 to 120 centimeters in diameter. They’re easy to spot by orientation: antennas typically face south or southeast. Unlike Starlink, they operate without protective radomes. The dishes are often installed in rear areas and linked to front-line positions via Wi‑Fi bridges.
After the Starlink shutdown, Russian troops and their families began raising money for “Yamal-401” and “Yamal-601” kits. Pro-war bloggers acknowledge these systems lag in speed and stability but call them the only real alternative. One wrote the internet is slower but “at least it’s something,” while prices have become unaffordable for many units.
Surging demand triggered immediate price hikes. While the official price for a “Yamal-601” kit is about 120,000 rubles ($1,550), listings on online platforms and Avito now range from 175,000 ($2,270) to 220,000 rubles ($2,900) - and sometimes higher.
Users report prices climbing within days. One review says a kit rose from 130,000 ($1,690) to 160,000 rubles, then to 250,000 ($3,250), whereas similar sets previously sold for around 50,000 ($650).
On major marketplaces Ozon and Wildberries, satellite kits have already sold out. Volunteers and relatives of Russian troops are posting in city chats and classifieds, trying to find any available equipment.
For comparison, the latest Starlink terminal cost about 50,000 ($650) to 65,000 rubles ($850) in early 2026, making it a more affordable and effective option. Now Russia is being forced into slower, more expensive systems. https://www.uawire.org/after-starlink-cutoff-russian-forces-turn-to-crowdfunding-for-slower-gazprom-linked-alternatives
