The Russian military has begun using Elon Musk’s satellite internet service Starlink more extensively in some occupied Ukrainian cities, according to a recent report by Kyiv’s intelligence agency.
Starlink was rushed into the war-ravaged nation shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, providing defenders with secure battlefield communications.
However, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) said it has proof that Moscow was also able to acquire the American-operated terminals.
An audio clip was posted on Telegram featuring alleged troops from Russia’s 83rd Air Assault Brigade discussing setting up the terminals in eastern Ukraine.
The GRU did not provide details regarding the scale of use and how the terminals were obtained, but a report by Ukrainian military news site Militarnyi said it was likely that they were purchased through third countries.
‘No Business With Russia’
How Russia was able to obtain and utilize Starlink terminals remains a mystery, as these terminals are supposed to be geofenced so they do not function in unauthorized locations.
Musk already said that his SpaceX company does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military.
He insisted that Starlink is not active in Russia, meaning the service will not work in that country.
“SpaceX has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia. If Russian stores are claiming to sell Starlink for service in that country, they are scamming their customers,” the billionaire businessman wrote on X.
Musk said if his company obtains information that a Starlink terminal is being used by an unauthorized party, a thorough investigation will be conducted, leading to terminal deactivation.