Ukrainian military intelligence claims that Russian forces in the occupied territories of Ukraine use Starlink satellite technology for communications.
The GUR announced on Sunday that it had intercepted radio communications from the Donetsk region in which Russian soldiers were discussing using Starlink terminals.
The Starlink satellite internet went live after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, replacing traditional internet and other communications infrastructure that had been destroyed by cyberattacks and advancing Russian forces.Russia had There is no equivalent technologyThis gave Ukraine a competitive advantage in coordinating its forces and arranging humanitarian efforts.
Reports that Russia has begun using this technology have not yet been independently verified. If true, it would seriously undermine Ukraine’s already undersupplied and outnumbered war effort. Here’s what we know so far:
Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
why is it important
– Starlink uses a low-orbit network of satellites to communicate with devices. The device can be purchased for less than $600. Ends by October 2022 200,000 units He was sent to Ukraine.
– The proximity of satellites to Earth and the frequencies they use to communicate make their signals difficult to block.
– Starlink devices are geofenced and cannot operate in unauthorized locations. Russia and deep into the occupied territories.
– However, access along the front line is unrestricted, so the Russian military could theoretically use the satellite network to coordinate attacks. Cutting off access to these areas would also hurt the Ukrainian military.
Here’s what Elon Musk and SpaceX said
– Starlink is was denied Doing business with the Russian government or military. They also claim they never sold the devices in Dubai, where they are accused of acting as an intermediary.
– multiple Russia company The purpose is to sell Starlink terminals. Starlink claims these retailers are defrauding customers.
– Neither Musk nor Starlink would say whether Russian soldiers have obtained Starlink devices or whether they are being used in occupied Ukraine.
Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
The use of Starlink in Ukraine has not always been smooth sailing.
– Starlink refused to extend connectivity to occupied territories of Ukraine. This has angered Kiev and has made it difficult to operate in these areas.
– A 2023 biography of Mr. Musk revealed that he said: Rejected A request was made by the Ukrainian government to activate Starlink over Crimea to attack Russian warships in the port of Sevastopol.
– Mykhailo Podlyak, Advisor to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy, explained Musk rejected the move, saying it was “perpetrating evil and encouraging evil.”
– musk I have written X (formerly Twitter) said turning on the connection would amount to a “serious act of war and escalation of conflict.”
– Mr. Musk complained On the cost of providing Starlink with access to Ukraine.of US Department of Defense Expenses will begin to be covered from July 2023.
– The commentator criticized How Musk perceives Starlink’s importance to Ukraine’s war effort – under fire behave erratically – Undue influence on the course of the war.
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