Can you hear me? The invisible battles of Ukrainian military medics

Watch documentary now
Skip to content
Edit post

Media: Russian military increasingly using Starlink terminals on battlefield

by The Kyiv Independent news desk February 10, 2024 5:39 PM 2 min read
A Ukrainian soldier uses a Starlink terminal during military exercises in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine, in June 2023 (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

The Russian military has begun to use Starlink terminals more actively on the front line, Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military news site, reported on Feb. 10.

A representative for SpaceX, the manufacturer of Starlink terminals, denied that the company has ever sold or supplied the equipment to the Russian military.

According to Militarnyi, the Starlink terminals are likely being procured through intermediaries in third countries via parallel imports, making it near impossible to trace.

SpaceX began providing the Starlink satellite internet system to Ukraine shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In June 2023, the Pentagon confirmed that SpaceX had won a contract from the Defense Department to provide Ukraine with Starlink satellite services.

Starlink terminals have proven crucial for the Ukrainian military, offering high-speed internet access in remote regions. This allows them to efficiently carry out tasks like coordinating drone strikes and gathering intelligence.

However, Ukrainian military personnel stationed at the front line have been increasingly voicing concerns about internet connection issues, an engineer who deals with Starlink terminals for the Ukrainian military told the Ukrainian Military Center.

A significant concentration of terminals in one area is causing system overload and slowing down speeds, the Ukrainian Military Center added.

Ukraine war latest: New Armed Forces commander settles in, lays down main priorities
Key developments on Feb. 9: * Finland approves $200 million aid package for Ukraine, Norway pledges more NASAMS * Syrskyi reveals his priorities as Ukraine’s new chief commander, meets with Umerov * US House members express ‘overwhelming’ support for Ukraine aid during visit to Kyiv * Russian a…

News Feed

10:58 PM

White House announces new weapons package for Kyiv.

"Today, the president approved a new security assistance package for Ukraine that will provide them with additional air defense, artillery, drones, and armored vehicles," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.