Starlink terminals have proven to be essential for Ukraine’s military in their battle against Russian troops. Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed that Russian forces are using Elon Musk’s satellite internet service in occupied areas in the east of the country. The terminals were quickly deployed to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and have played a crucial role in battlefield communications. However, there are concerns about the personal control of Starlink by Elon Musk, who has expressed views aligned with the Kremlin regarding the conflict. Space X, the company behind Starlink, stated that they do not conduct business with the Russian government or its military. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released an audio clip claiming to feature Russian troops discussing the use of Starlink terminals in eastern Ukraine. The GUR reported that the terminals were being used by units like Russia’s 83rd Air Assault Brigade in the Donetsk region.
Additionally, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched 45 drones overnight, targeting agricultural facilities and coastal infrastructure. One person was injured in the Mykolaiv region and another in the Dnipropetrovsk region due to the drone strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been reorganizing military commanders to maintain momentum against the attacking Russian forces. Alexander Pavlyuk was appointed as the new commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, while Yurii Sodol, Ihor Skibiuk, and Ihor Plahuta were named commanders of Ukraine’s combined forces, air assault forces, and territorial defense forces, respectively. The new commanders are focused on improving troop rotation and utilizing new technology to aid Ukraine’s defensive efforts.
Reports from Ukraine suggest that Russia has been sourcing Starlink equipment from locations such as Dubai. This is not the first time that Western tech components have been found in Russia’s arsenal, as the country has become adept at evading sanctions and importing goods through third countries.
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