(Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
It’s not just a few Russian soldiers using SpaceX’s Starlink system here and there, according to the Ukrainian government. Instead, the country’s military intelligence chief claims that Russian military units are using “thousands” of Starlink dishes in occupied areas of Ukraine.
The allegation comes from Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, who spoke to The Wall Street Journal about the threat of Russian troops using Starlink to communicate on the battlefield.
The SpaceX technology was once exclusive to Ukraine, including the country’s military, becoming a vital way for the country to supply broadband on the frontlines. But according to Budanov, “Russian army units down to company level” have been buying Starlink dishes from Russian private vendors, who source the satellite technology from intermediaries.
Budanov made the statements as Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has been releasing audio recordings intercepted from Russian soldiers talking about using Starlink. In one recording, a Russian occupier mentions a convoy acquiring the Starlink hardware from Arab suppliers. In addition, a number of Russian vendors have been spotted openly selling Starlink units online, often for around $3,000 per dish.
Budanov didn’t supply any additional evidence. But he noted members of his intelligence agency “often work behind enemy lines.” Although SpaceX has barred Starlink from functioning in Russia, the satellite internet system allegedly works in occupied areas of Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk, along with Crimea.
Ukrainian authorities have been raising the alarm bells about the Starlink sales to Russian soldiers, likely to push SpaceX to crack down. Last week, the company said: “If SpaceX obtains knowledge that a Starlink terminal is being used by a sanctioned or unauthorized party, we investigate the claim and take actions to deactivate the terminal if confirmed.”
But at the same time, SpaceX has also been trying to deny that the sales to Russian soldiers ever occurred. “To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia,” company CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet on Monday.
In the meantime, the use of Starlink among Russian soldiers could attract scrutiny from US lawmakers. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told The Journal: “SpaceX needs to do everything in its power to ensure the Russian military isn’t using its technology as part of its invasion of Ukraine.”