The CEO of the SpaceX company behind Starlink, Elon Musk, and the Kremlin have denied that Russia is using the US satellite internet system in Ukraine.
Roni Kuronen,
Riikka Kajander
Ukraine’s military intelligence has published new evidence, according to which Russia has bought Starlink terminals enabling internet connection from Arab countries for its war of aggression.
CEO of SpaceX company Elon Musk yesterday, Monday, denied the suspicion presented by Ukraine that Russia is using the Starlink network developed by the company in the war. In addition to Musk, the Kremlin has also denied that Russia uses the Starlink system in Ukraine.
– We do not have the necessary licenses to use Starlink, and therefore terminals cannot be delivered to us. We also cannot use the systems officially, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
In response to Musk’s and Peskov’s speeches, the Ukrainian Intelligence Service (GUR) has published a recording on Telegram today, Tuesday, in which Russian soldiers are allegedly discussing the purchase of Starlink systems from Arab countries at a price of around 200,000 rubles or $2,200 each.
– The aggressor Russia buys communications equipment from Arab countries for military use, including Starlink satellite terminals, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine writes in Telegram.
System not for military use
Ukrainian intelligence published a report on Sunday, according to which Russia uses the Starlink internet system on the battlefields.
Military calls intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence show that Russia installed Starlink at least for use by the Russian 83rd assault brigade in the Donetsk region.
Billionaire Elon Musk offered Starlink system services to Ukraine when Russia launched its war of aggression in Ukraine in February 2022.
The service has been vital for Ukraine in battlefield communications. However, the SpceX company has restricted Ukraine’s use of the system outside Ukraine’s borders and in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
Musk has said that Starlink is not intended to be used in wars.