Ukraine Alleges Russia’s Utilization of Starlink Terminals, Elon Musk Denies Accusations as ‘Completely Untrue’
In a shocking turn of events, Ukraine’s primary military intelligence agency, the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), has accused Russia of using Starlink terminals produced by SpaceX in occupied territories of the country. These allegations have been denied by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who called them “completely untrue.” The use of Starlink terminals, which connect to the company’s satellites in low Earth orbit, has been hailed as a crucial tool for Ukrainian communications.
According to GUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov, the agency has intercepted radio conversations that allegedly indicate Russian forces using Starlink terminals in occupied territories. Units of the 83rd separate air assault brigade of the Russian armed forces were reportedly found using these terminals to establish internet access near the Donetsk region. Yusov claims that the use of Starlink internet kits by Russian forces is on the rise, particularly in front-line areas.
While GUR did not provide any theories on how Russian forces obtained the terminals in contested areas like Donetsk, anonymous sources have previously alleged that Ukrainian troops have recorded the use of Starlink satellite communication by Russian forces. This recent statement by GUR marks the first official communication accusing Russia of utilizing Starlink technology.
Elon Musk, however, vehemently denies these claims. In a social media post on X, a platform also owned by Musk, he stated that to his knowledge, Russia does not have access to Starlink devices. He categorically labeled any reports suggesting SpaceX’s involvement in helping Russia with battlefield communications as “categorically false.” Starlink also released a statement denying the allegations, emphasizing that the terminals were not active in Russia and had never been sold or marketed to the country.
It is worth noting that Musk initially supported Ukraine when Russia invaded, sending thousands of Starlink terminals to assist the country. However, he has since scaled back his involvement due to fears of becoming entangled in the escalating conflict. Musk even declined Kyiv’s request to activate Starlink near Moscow-annexed Crimea, where Ukraine planned a drone strike, as he believed it might make SpaceX “explicitly complicit in a major act of war.” He made it clear that SpaceX would limit Ukraine’s use of the Starlink service for military purposes and would not actively enable an escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As the allegations and denials continue to circulate, the truth behind the utilization of Starlink terminals by Russian forces remains uncertain. Both Ukraine and Russia have their respective claims, leaving the world to wonder about the extent of technological warfare in the modern era. The ongoing conflict between these two nations has now crossed into the realm of satellite communication, highlighting the significance of advanced technology in contemporary warfare.
