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Russia - Starlink

"The scenario is unprecedented: a defense contractor indirectly facilitating the military operations of a nation deemed an adversary of the United States and its allies. Imagine if traditional arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman were to supply weapons systems to Russia... The global reach and technological sophistication of satellite communication networks like Starlink offer unparalleled advantages in warfare, making the control over their use a matter of national security. ... Ensuring that companies like SpaceX adhere to the legal and ethical standards expected of federal defense contractors is imperative. This includes taking decisive actions to prevent their technology from being exploited by sanctioned states or entities engaged in hostilities against the U.S. and its allies." Bogdan Maftei wrote 19 February 2024.

Elon Musk stated Feb 11, 2024 "A number of false news reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is categorically false. To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.... Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia."

Musk voiced his opposition to a proposed Senate aid bill for Ukraine during a discussion on his social media platform, X Spaces on Feb. 13. Musk argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a position where he "can't lose" the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting additional aid would not alter the war's outcome. Musk supported U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson's view that believing in a Ukrainian victory is unrealistic and encouraged Americans to communicate their concerns about the aid bill to their representatives. “This spending does not help Ukraine,” said Musk. “Prolonging the war does not help Ukraine.”

Russian troops in Ukraine increasingly have access to Starlink, the private satellite network that Ukraine's military relies on heavily for battlefield communications. The findings from RFE/RL's Russian Service corroborate earlier statements from Ukrainian military officials, underscoring how Kyiv's ability to secure its command communications is potentially threatened.

It comes as Ukrainian forces grapple with depleted weaponry and ammunition, and overall exhaustion, with Russian forces pressing localized offensives in several locations along the 1,200-kilometer front line. The industrial city of Avdiyivka, in particular, is under severe strain with Russian forces making steady advances, threatening to encircle Ukrainian defenses there.

Russians are buying Starlink terminals in Arab countries. This is evidenced by recent radio interception data of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine [GUR]. "The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine informs: the aggressor state Russia is purchasing means of communication, including Starlink satellite Internet terminals, for use in the war in Arab countries," the 13 February 2024 message reads.

In a recent radio interception, the Russian occupiers are discussing the possibility of acquiring the Starlink satellite communication terminal. "The Arabs bring everything: cables, Wi-Fi, a router," one of the interlocutors said. As it turned out, the purchase price of the Starlink device is 200 thousand rubles.

On February 10, the media reported that Russian forces are likely using SpaceX's Starlink communications systems in Ukraine, indicating that Elon Musk's company is now apparently helping the Russians. Ukrainian forces first discovered Russia's use of Starlink on the front lines a few months ago, and now their use is increasing. "Right now, Russian troops seem to be using dozens of Starlink terminals at the front. When there are hundreds of them, it will be difficult for us to live," the ZSU told the publication. According to Defense One, Russia's use of Starlink exacerbates the problems faced by the Ukrainian military, in particular with regard to the lack of ammunition. Earlier, the Ukrainian military wrote on social networks that Starlink systems were supplied to Russia allegedly through Dubai. Volunteer and blogger Serhii Sternenko wrote about this in particular.

On February 11, the Ministry of Defense confirmed information about the use of Starlink by the Russian occupiers at the front. "The radio interception of the invaders' conversation shows that in order to establish access to the Internet, Starlink terminals were installed, for example, in the units of the 83rd ODSHBr of the Russian Armed Forces," GUR stated. As indicated by the agency, the Russian 83rd Airborne Assault Brigade operates in the Donetsk region near Klishchiivka and Andriivka. Earlier, the representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, Andriy Yusov , said in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that the scale of use of Starlink terminals by the Russians in the war is increasing. "Yes, there have been recorded cases of use of these devices by the Russian occupiers. This is beginning to take on a systemic nature," the spokesman noted.

Elon Musk's SpaceX company stated that they do not do any business with the Russian government or army, and also do not work on the territory of the Russian Federation. "SpaceX has never sold Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to Russia. If Russian stores claim to sell Starlink for service in this country, they are deceiving their customers," the company emphasized.

American billionaire, owner of SpaceX company Elon Musk stated that SpaceX did not directly or indirectly sell the Starlink satellite communication system to Russia. Elon Musk stated that SpaceX did not directly or indirectly sell the Starlink satellite communication system to Russia. Musk wrote about this in his social network X (formerly Twitter). "A number of false news claims that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is categorically false. As far as we know, Starlinks have not been sold directly or indirectly to Russia," Elon Musk wrote.

Musk spoke out 13 February 2024 against the US draft law on providing financial assistance to Ukraine and called on Americans to put pressure on senators not to approve the continuation of military aid to Ukraine. He believes that Putin cannot lose the war and therefore there is no need to help Ukraine. Musk said this during a discussion on the X platform, writes Bloomberg.

Musk was joined in the conversation by Republican Congressmen Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, Mike Lee from Utah, American businessman Vivek Ramaswamy — a former Republican presidential candidate, and more. In the conversation, Musk agreed with Johnson's statement that "Putin will not lose in Ukraine." Johnson said that those who expect Ukraine to win are "living in a fantasy world."

The participants in the conversation said that it was necessary to "kill this thing", referring to the bill on the allocation of $95 billion in financial aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Musk added that he hopes the Americans will contact their elected representatives about the Ukraine bill: "This spending is not helping Ukraine. Prolonging the war is not good for Ukraine." Musk said he was interested in stopping the deaths on both sides of the war, adding that he questioned the wisdom of pushing for Putin's removal. "Those who want regime change in Russia should think about who can destroy Putin, and can this person be a peace-loving person? Probably not," he said. Musk said that such a person would likely be "even tougher than Putin."