Kremlin says Elon Musk‘s Starlink satellite system not being used in Russia – Newsmax
“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,” wrote Musk. – see Post Millennial
Musk denies selling Starlink terminals to Russia after Kyiv alleges their use in occupied areas – CNBC
For those who do not know, about Starlink, from Elon himself…
‘SpaceX’s Starlink is changing how we connect, even in the air. Elon Musk streamed live from a plane, demonstrating Starlink’s strong signal with a Download of upto 40-220+MBPS, Upload of upto 8-25+MBPS and Latency of less than 99MS. Starlink has partnered with airlines like airBaltic, Zipair, and Qatar Airways to provide in-flight Wi-Fi, ensuring passengers stay connected wherever they fly.’ see fast clip below
SpaceX’s Starlink is changing how we connect, even in the air. Elon Musk streamed live from a plane, demonstrating Starlink’s strong signal with a Download of upto 40-220+MBPS, Upload of upto 8-25+MBPS and Latency of less than 99MS.
Starlink has partnered with airlines like… pic.twitter.com/2lfA9PZIcD
— Stephen Musk (Fan) (@Iam_StephenMusk) February 12, 2024
As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, the battle extends beyond the traditional ground war, reaching the realms of space. The NATO ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities stand out as a crucial advantage for Kiev, providing a vital “eye in the sky” awareness of enemy movements. However, recent reports suggest a potentially worrying development for Ukraine, as Russian forces in conquered territories are allegedly utilizing Starlink terminals provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX for satellite internet.
It’s a private company if Russia payed for it. It’s not personal it’s business- ZeroChance
ISR plays a pivotal role in modern warfare, involving the coordinated acquisition, processing, and provision of timely, accurate, relevant, coherent, and assured information and intelligence. For Ukraine, maintaining superiority in this area is paramount, making any effort by Russia to match these capabilities a potential threat.
The Ukrainian defense ministry’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) raised concerns over the use of Starlink terminals by Russian forces, describing it as a ‘systemic’ application. According to reports, units such as Russia’s 83rd Air Assault Brigade, engaged in the eastern region of Donetsk, are said to be utilizing these satellite communication systems.
Media: Russian military increasingly using Starlink terminals on battlefield https://t.co/JoB72dRXVP
— Samphy Y (@ysamphy) February 11, 2024
Starlink terminals were initially sent to aid Ukraine in the aftermath of the conflict’s commencement and have played a vital role in facilitating battlefield communications for Kiev. Despite allegations, Starlink has vehemently denied engaging in any business with the Russian government or military. The Ukrainian defense ministry’s GUR reported instances of Russian occupiers using Starlink devices, indicating a growing trend in their application.
In a statement, the GUR confirmed the usage of Starlink satellite communication systems by Russian forces at the front lines. The intelligence service even posted snippets of intercepted conversations among Russian soldiers discussing the installation of Starlink terminals to establish internet access.
🇺🇦 Ukraine's military intel said on Sunday that it had confirmed Russian forces were using Musk's satellite internet company Starlink's terminals on the battlefield, releasing what it said was an intercept of a conversation b/w 2 Russian soldiers as proofhttps://t.co/JY01ryDkwc
— Russia-Ukraine Daily News (@rvps2001) February 11, 2024
Starlink, renowned for its constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbits, has been widely acknowledged as a crucial tool in Ukraine’s fight against the aggressor. However, tensions between Starlink owner Elon Musk and Ukrainian authorities have escalated significantly. The strained relationship traces back to Musk’s controversial decision to disable satellite communications near the coast of Crimea. The move was allegedly made to prevent their involvement in a planned Ukrainian drone strike, further exacerbating the already complex dynamics.
The utilization of Starlink terminals by Russian forces underscores the evolving nature of conflicts, extending into the technological domain. As Ukraine grapples with challenges on the ground, the potential compromise of its ISR advantage in space adds another layer of concern. The strategic implications of Russia narrowing the technological gap in satellite communication could prove disastrous for Ukraine, further complicating an already intricate geopolitical landscape.
🇷🇺-🇺🇦#Russian military increasingly using Starlink terminals on battlefield.
The Russian military has begun to use Starlink terminals more actively on the front line, Militarnyi, a #Ukrainian military news site, reported on Feb. 10.
According to Militarnyi, the Starlink… pic.twitter.com/58WZbScq8n
— ConflictLive 💬 (@conflict_live) February 10, 2024
To Sum It All Up:, the integration of Starlink technology into the conflict poses questions about the evolving dynamics of warfare in the 21st century. As both sides leverage cutting-edge technologies, the outcome in Ukraine may be influenced not only by boots on the ground but also by the satellites orbiting above.
Major Points Discussed:
- Russian forces in conquered Ukrainian territories are reportedly using Starlink terminals, provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, for satellite internet.
- The NATO ISR capabilities, crucial for Ukraine’s awareness of enemy movements, are a significant advantage in the conflict.
- Ukrainian military intelligence suggests a ‘systemic’ application of Starlink terminals by Russian forces, posing a potential threat to Ukraine’s ISR superiority.
- Starlink, while denying any business with the Russian government or military, has played a vital role in facilitating battlefield communications for Ukraine.
- Tensions between Elon Musk and Ukrainian authorities have escalated due to Musk’s decision to disable satellite communications near Crimea, further complicating the dynamics of the conflict.
Comments – Threads – Links
- Russian military is increasingly using Starlink terminals on battlefield. Why is this permissible?- The Conscious Underground
- Ukraine’s military intel said on Sunday that it had confirmed Russian forces were using Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink‘s terminals on the battlefield, releasing what it said was an intercept of a conversation b/w 2 Russian soldiers as proof- Russia-Ukraine Daily News
- Elon needs to make some choices, real ones not just philosophical ones- Marcus van der Erve