Kyiv: Reports from front-line troops in Ukraine suggest that Russia may be exploiting Starlink internet service, owned by Elon Musk, to coordinate drone attacks in Ukraine, despite US sanctions. Soldiers have reported connectivity issues and suspect Russian forces are hijacking the infrastructure.
According to soldiers interviewed by international media outlet CNN, connection speeds have noticeably decreased in recent months, coinciding with increased Russian sightings of Starlink deployment in Ukraine. Social media posts from Russian sources claim to bypass sanctions by purchasing Starlink terminals through third countries.
Starlink and SpaceX declined to comment on the matter, leaving the exact cause of the connectivity issues unclear. Troops speculate that the higher concentration of Starlink terminals in contested areas may be affecting connection speeds.
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Since the 2022 invasion, Starlink has provided Ukraine’s military with a crucial advantage, facilitating real-time communication and drone operations in areas with disrupted cellphone service.
Operators in the Zaporizhzhia area reported issues with frequent disconnections and declining speeds, hindering their operations. Ukrainian units across front lines corroborate these reports, noting increased Russian utilization of Starlink.
Ukraine is proposing new legal conditions on satellite communications to create a whitelist of authorized devices, aiming to prevent Russian exploitation. Delicate negotiations with SpaceX and US officials are underway to ensure Ukrainian access while preventing misuse by Russia.
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Despite previous assertions by Elon Musk that Starlink wouldn’t function in Russia, recent social media activity suggests otherwise, with Russians discussing the deployment of Starlink terminals in Ukrainian territories under occupation.
In response, US Congressional Oversight Committee Democrats demand an urgent briefing from Starlink on potential violations of US sanctions, reflecting growing concerns over technology misuse in the conflict.
As stakeholders navigate these developments, efforts continue to mitigate the misuse of technology amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
