Feb. 1 (GEokHub) — Elon Musk said steps taken by SpaceX to prevent Russia from using its Starlink satellite internet system without authorization appear to have been successful, as Ukraine confirmed it is working on further safeguards to stop any future misuse.
Starlink plays a critical role in Ukraine’s military operations, providing tens of thousands of satellite internet connections used for battlefield communications and for controlling certain drone missions. Ukrainian officials recently disclosed that Starlink terminals had been discovered on long-range drones used in Russian attacks, raising concerns about unauthorized access to the system.
Ukrainian authorities said they are coordinating closely with SpaceX to ensure Starlink cannot be exploited by Moscow.
In a post on social media, Musk said SpaceX had taken action to block unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia and that the measures appeared to be working. He added that additional steps could be taken if necessary.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said the country is developing a system that would ensure only approved Starlink terminals function within Ukrainian territory. According to Fedorov, initial measures taken in cooperation with Starlink have already delivered quick results in countering Russian drone activity.
“The next phase will involve implementing controls that allow only authorized terminals to operate in Ukraine,” he said in a separate statement.
SpaceX has previously said it does not sell or ship Starlink equipment to Russia and does not conduct any business with the Russian government or its military.
Starlink service was activated over Ukraine in 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, following urgent requests from Ukrainian officials seeking to maintain communications during the early days of the conflict.
