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Russian Troops Accessing Ukraine’s Military Communications through Starlink
Recent findings from RFE/RL’s Russian Service have revealed that Russian troops in Ukraine are increasingly gaining access to Starlink, the private satellite Internet network owned by Elon Musk. This network, which Ukraine’s military relies on heavily for battlefield communications, has potentially put the security of Kyiv’s command communications at risk.
Amid Russian offensives and the strain on Ukrainian defenses along the 1,200-kilometer front line, the industrial city of Avdiyivka is particularly under severe strain. Russian forces are making steady advances, posing a significant threat to the Ukrainian defenses there.
Ukraine has extensively utilized Starlink, a network of low-orbit satellites providing high-speed Internet access, for stable communication between units, medics, and commanders on the front line. Ukrainian troops have even tried installing Starlink antennas on large attack drones, essential tools that are frequently jammed by Russian electronic-warfare systems.
Recent evidence points to the fact that Russian troops are using the Starlink network, either for their own communications or potentially to monitor Ukraine’s communications. Ukrainian military intelligence services have stated that Russian forces are using Starlink terminals in a systemic manner. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the HUR, reported that units like Russia’s 83rd Air Assault Brigade are utilizing the system in the eastern region of Donetsk.
Moreover, the Defense Ministry of Ukraine claimed that Russia was acquiring Starlink terminals from unspecified Arab countries. However, Starlink has denied any business transactions with Russia’s government or military, and Elon Musk himself emphasized that no Starlinks had been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.
Despite Starlink’s claim, Russian troops may have acquired Starlink terminals from numerous companies in Russia that allegedly sell them alongside household products. The lack of firm oversight on the type of personal data needed for new Starlink clients has further raised concerns about potential security breaches.
Additionally, independent researchers found that Starlink’s technology does not precisely restrict signal access, which means it would have to restrict access for Ukrainian frontline positions to limit Russian battlefield use.
The Russian response to these claims has been vague, with Peskov stating that Starlink is not a certified system in Russia and, therefore, is not supplied officially. Nevertheless, Ukraine faces a pressing challenge as its military communications remain compromised by Russian troops accessing the Starlink network.
As the situation continues to unfold, the ability of Ukrainian troops to rely on secure and stable communication remains a critical concern in the ongoing conflict.
