Ukraine Claims Russian Troops Use Starlink, SpaceX Denies

In a recent development highlighting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Ukrainian military has made startling allegations against Russia, asserting that Russian troops are utilizing SpaceX’s Starlink internet service in occupied territories within the Donbas region. This claim has been met with vehement denial from both SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk.

According to statements released by the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency, evidence suggests that Russia’s 83rd Assault Brigade has been employing Starlink for communication purposes in towns such as Klishchiivka and Andriivka, located in the Donetsk region—a zone marked by intense fighting in recent months.

The agency went a step further in substantiating these allegations by releasing a brief 12-second audio clip on social media, purportedly featuring a Russian speaker affirming the functionality of Starlink, stating, “Starlink works, there is internet.” However, SpaceX has been quick to rebut these claims, asserting that the company has never conducted business with the Russian government nor sold Starlink terminals within Russia. Elon Musk himself took to Twitter to weigh in on the matter, stating, “To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.”

Despite SpaceX’s denial, Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, maintained the stance that there have been documented instances of Russian soldiers utilizing Starlink, suggesting that such usage is becoming increasingly systematic. The Ukrainian government, however, has refrained from disclosing how they believe Russian troops have managed to acquire access to Starlink hardware.

The utilization of Starlink technology in the context of the Ukrainian conflict has been a contentious issue. Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, Starlink has played a crucial role in providing internet access to various parts of Ukraine, aiding not only civilians but also the military. However, SpaceX’s involvement in facilitating military operations has drawn criticism from its leadership. In February 2023, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell announced measures to prevent Ukraine from utilizing Starlink for drone strikes, asserting that the service was never intended for offensive purposes.

This stance was reiterated later in the year when it was revealed in a biography of Elon Musk that he personally intervened to prevent a Ukrainian drone strike. Musk purportedly ordered SpaceX engineers to deactivate the system in Crimea to disrupt a planned Ukrainian ambush on the Russian Navy in Sevastopol. Musk defended his decision, stating that complying with the Ukrainian government’s request would have implicated SpaceX in a significant act of war and escalation of conflict. This revelation sheds light on the complexities surrounding the involvement of private entities like SpaceX in geopolitical conflicts.

As the situation continues to unfold, the allegations of Russian troops using Starlink serve as another layer in the multifaceted dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The veracity of these claims, along with the implications for both SpaceX and the broader geopolitical landscape, remains to be seen.