Russian Forces Reportedly Using Starlink Terminals on Front Line in Ukraine
In a surprising turn of events, it has been reported that Russian forces are utilizing Starlink terminals on the front line in Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has revealed that the adoption of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service by Moscow’s troops is becoming “systemic.” This revelation has raised concerns and questions about the extent of Russia’s technological advancements and its impact on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian GUR military intelligence unit disclosed on Telegram that radio intercepts have confirmed the use of Starlink terminals by Russian units operating in the occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Andriy Yusov, a GUR officer, stated, “Yes, there have been recorded cases of the Russian occupiers using these devices. This is starting to take on a systemic nature.” This revelation follows multiple reports in recent days, including a sighting reported by news outlet Defense One of Starlink’s distinctive square-shaped receivers near Russian positions. Furthermore, a Russian volunteer group boasted on social media about the devices it claimed to have purchased for Russian forces.
In response to these reports, SpaceX, the company that owns Starlink, clarified that it does not engage in any business with the Russian government or its military. SpaceX emphasized that Starlink is not active in Russia and therefore does not provide service in the country. The company also stated that it has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations within Russia.
Interestingly, Elon Musk had previously provided thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to aid in their defense against Russian troops following their full-scale invasion in February 2022. This move gave Ukraine’s forces a significant technological advantage by providing them with high-speed internet for communication, targeting, and battlefield management software. However, tensions arose when Musk started limiting the operation of Starlink in areas of Ukraine that Russian forces have occupied since 2014, including Crimea. Ukraine desired to utilize the system for operations in Russian-controlled areas of their territory, leading to frustration and anger towards Musk.
The recent revelation of Russian forces using Starlink technology on the front line has further complicated the situation. Ukraine is now facing the challenge of Russians, as well as Ukrainians, utilizing the system in contested areas. Implementing or reintroducing “geofencing” to prevent Starlink use by Russia on the front line could also impact the Ukrainian military’s devices due to the close proximity of the opposing sides.
This utilization of Starlink technology by Russian forces is just one example of Moscow’s ability to adapt its tactics in response to Ukraine’s innovations. Previously, they had employed mass quantities of cheap, commercially available racing drones. Ukrainian media has speculated that Russian forces may have obtained the Starlink terminals through intermediaries in Dubai. However, SpaceX has denied any involvement in Dubai and clarified that they have not authorized any third-party intermediaries or distributors to sell Starlink in the region.
It is worth noting that a biography of Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson revealed his refusal to allow Starlink to be used by Ukrainian forces for a naval drone strike on Russian ships in Sevastopol. Musk expressed concerns about the potential nuclear response from Moscow if such an action were taken.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to evolve, it is clear that both sides are leveraging technological advancements to gain an edge. The use of Starlink terminals by Russian forces highlights the significance of satellite internet services in modern warfare. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the ongoing conflict and whether Ukraine will be able to regain control over the use of this technology in contested areas.
