SpaceX Moves Seem To Block Russian Use Of Starlink, Ukraine Confirms
Elon Musk said on Sunday that actions taken by his SpaceX company to prevent Russia from using its Starlink internet system without authorisation appear to have succeeded. Kyiv’s defence officials confirmed they were developing measures to stop any future attempts by Moscow to exploit the network.
Starlink has become a vital tool for Ukraine, providing tens of thousands of satellite-based connections for battlefield communications and for piloting certain drone missions. This week, Ukrainian authorities discovered Starlink terminals on long-range drones used in Russian attacks, prompting urgent collaboration with SpaceX to halt their misuse.
“Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done,” Musk said on X.
Ukraine Developing Terminal Controls
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov added that Kyiv is creating a system to ensure only authorised Starlink terminals can operate within the country.
“Ukraine, together with @Starlink, has already taken the first steps that delivered rapid results in countering Russian drones,” he wrote on X. “The next step is implementing a system that will allow only authorized terminals to operate on the territory of Ukraine.”
These measures aim to prevent Russia from guiding drones using Starlink, maintaining the system’s critical role in Ukraine’s defence.
SpaceX’s Role In Ukraine
SpaceX first activated Starlink over Ukraine in 2022 after Kyiv requested assistance in the initial days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In February 2024, the company emphasised it neither sells nor ships Starlink to Russia and does not conduct business with the Russian government or its military.
The ongoing cooperation between Ukraine and SpaceX demonstrates how advanced satellite networks have become key assets in modern warfare, allowing Kyiv to maintain communications and drone operations despite attempts to disrupt them.
With inputs from Reuters