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Front-line troops in Ukraine have reported experiencing connectivity issues with the vital Starlink internet service, which Elon Musk owns. They use it to operate Kyiv’s fleet of attack drones. The reason? They believe that their Starlink infrastructure is being hijacked and used by Russian forces, despite sanctions imposed by the US.
Soldiers interviewed across the front lines disclosed that connection speeds have noticeably dropped in recent months, along with encountering various other connection problems, as per a CNN report.
These complaints have coincided with an uptick in Ukrainian sightings of Russian deployment of the satellite internet service managed by Musk’s SpaceX. Additionally, social media posts from Russian sources have claimed successful circumvention of sanctions on using these devices by purchasing them through third countries.
While the exact cause of the deteriorating service in Ukraine remains unclear, Starlink, SpaceX, and Elon Musk declined to comment on the matter, as per the CNN report.
Troops and analysts have suggested a higher concentration of Starlink terminals in contested areas than in previous months, which could impact connection speeds.
Since the 2022 invasion, the Starlink internet service has significantly benefited Ukraine’s military, enabling real-time sharing of drone feeds between units and communication in areas where traditional cellphone service has been disrupted by combat.
Operators in the Zaporizhzhia area have reported issues with the service over the past few weeks. Misha, a communications operator, highlighted problems such as frequent disconnections and declining speeds, which have posed challenges to their operations. Another drone operator, Anton from the 65th Mechanised Brigade, noted a significant decrease in speed since January, attributing it to the increased demand for Starlink terminals among units in the area.
Multiple Ukrainian units across the front lines have corroborated these reports of speed problems with Starlink and noted increased Russian utilization. However, due to the issue’s sensitivity, they have chosen to remain anonymous.
Efforts to address Russian use of Starlink in occupied areas have led Ukraine to propose new legal conditions on satellite communications, aiming to create a whitelist of authorized devices permitted for Kyiv’s use. Behind-the-scenes negotiations with SpaceX and US officials have been described as delicate, with concerns about ensuring access for Ukrainian forces while preventing Russian exploitation of the service.
Despite Elon Musk’s previous assertions that Starlink wouldn’t function in Russia, recent social media activity suggests otherwise. Russian crowdfunders openly discussed the acquisition and deployment of Starlink terminals in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
In response to these developments, Democrats on the US Congressional Oversight Committee have demanded an urgent briefing from Starlink concerning Russian use of the devices, expressing apprehension over potential violations of US sanctions.
As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders remain vigilant, seeking to mitigate the misuse of technology in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
