Ukraine Discovers Starlink on Downed Russian Shahed Drone: Report
Ukrainian media reports that Russia has upgraded Shahed drones with Starlink terminals, enhancing their capabilities. Ukrainian defenses intercepted many drones, while SpaceX and the Pentagon deny Russian dealings with Starlink.
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Ukrainian media reports indicate that Russia has equipped its Iranian-designed Shahed drones with Starlink terminals, marking a significant upgrade to these drones, which have been used extensively in attacks against Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down a Shahed-136 drone fitted with Starlink during recent aerial assaults, intercepting 28 out of 32 launched drones. While the Ukrainian air force has not confirmed the presence of Starlink in the downed drone, they are investigating the wreckage. Images purportedly showing the drone with Starlink have been shared, but their authenticity has not been verified. Ukraine has relied on Starlink for battlefield communications, while Russian forces have reportedly utilized it along the front lines. SpaceX, the owner of Starlink, has denied any business dealings with the Russian government and stated that it does not operate in Russia. The Pentagon has also been involved in efforts to counter the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russian forces. The ongoing conflict has seen Russia increasingly rely on Shahed drones, which are known for their distinctive sound and capability to carry explosive warheads.
- Ukraine reports that Russia has fitted Shahed drones with Starlink terminals.
- Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant number of Shahed drones in recent attacks.
- SpaceX denies any business with Russia and claims Starlink is not operational there.
- The Pentagon is actively working to prevent Russian exploitation of Starlink technology.
- Shahed drones have been a key component of Russia's strategy in the ongoing conflict.
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Russia is reportedly equipping military drones with Starlink dishes to improve communication, raising concerns about long-range operations against Ukraine, despite efforts by SpaceX and the Pentagon to prevent this.
7 comments* Russia is reportedly buying dishes (and the service attached to the dishes) in the Middle East.
* Ukraine has its own fleet of dishes (being paid for by the US, after Musk initially provided free service early in the war after a Ukrainian request), but also many individual dishes that were donated, and being paid for, by private individuals outside Ukraine.
US law prohibits Russia from using Starlink. The problem is, how to stop Russia from doing so? A simple location-based ban won't work, because the front line is constantly shifting. Whitelisting only Ukraine's own dishes to work within Ukrainian territory might work, but 1) what about dishes that get captured by Russia? 2) As noted, what about all the privately paid-for dishes?
Another way to think about this is that this demonstrates just how lifesaving for Ukraine Starlink has become. Ukraine could ask Starlink to disable all dishes within its territory. On the contrary, it has decided that the benefits of Starlink to Ukrainians outweighs Russians also benefiting from it.
I find it very hard to argue Starlink is not a military technology! At least its satellites are low, so debris wont stay on orbit forever!
If the vast majority of highly pro Ukrainian and anti-Musk U.S. outlets are not running the story, perhaps it is not really confirmed.
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