Russian Forces Utilizing Starlink Satellite Internet Service in Ukraine’s Occupied Areas, Confirms Ukrainian Intelligence
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has taken a new turn as Ukrainian intelligence confirms that Russian forces are utilizing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in the occupied areas of eastern Ukraine. This revelation has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and their allies, given Elon Musk’s personal control over Starlink and his previous alignment with Kremlin talking points regarding the conflict.
Starlink terminals, which provide high-speed communications, have proven to be vital for Ukraine’s military in maintaining effective battlefield communications. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been facing a larger and better-equipped military, making the use of Starlink systems crucial for their operations.
While SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, stated last week that they do not engage in any business with the Russian government or its military, the Ministry of Defence’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released an audio clip on Telegram, allegedly featuring Russian troops discussing the setup of Starlink terminals in eastern Ukraine. GUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov confirmed that there have been registered cases of Russian occupiers using these devices, and it appears to be taking on a systemic nature.
According to GUR, units like Russia’s 83rd Air Assault Brigade have been using the Starlink terminals in the embattled towns of Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the partially-occupied eastern region of Donetsk. Reports from Ukraine suggest that Russia has been sourcing Starlink equipment from locations such as Dubai. This is not the first time Western tech components have been found in Russia’s arsenal, as they have become adept at evading sanctions by importing goods through third countries.
In addition to the use of Starlink, Russian forces launched a mass barrage of 45 drones at Ukraine overnight. The attack, which lasted for five and a half hours, targeted agricultural facilities and coastal infrastructure. One person was injured in the Mykolaiv region, where a strike sparked a fire and damaged nearby residential buildings. Another person was injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region due to falling debris from a destroyed drone.
Amidst these attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been reshuffling military commanders in an effort to maintain momentum against the invading Russian forces. Former Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Pavlyuk has been appointed as the new commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrsky, who has been named the replacement for Ukraine’s outgoing military chief, Valerii Zaluzhny. Other appointments include Yurii Sodol as the commander of Ukraine’s combined forces, Ihor Skibiuk as the commander of Ukraine’s air assault forces, and Ihor Plahuta as the commander of Ukraine’s territorial defence forces.
Incoming commander-in-chief Syrsky has outlined his immediate goals, which include improving troop rotation at the front lines and harnessing the power of new technology. These efforts are crucial as Kyiv’s forces find themselves predominantly on the defensive.
The utilization of Starlink by Russian forces in Ukraine’s occupied areas adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict. As Ukraine continues to face a formidable adversary, the importance of maintaining effective communication and leveraging technological advancements cannot be overstated. The international community will be closely watching how Ukraine adapts to this new development and whether it can regain control over its occupied territories.
