Elon Musk's efforts to stop Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks have delivered real results, a Ukrainian official said. Praising the SpaceX founder as a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people, defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Musk responded promptly when he was informed about Russian drones with Starlink connectivity operating in Ukraine.
The drones, involved in several recent deadly attacks, have been linked to incidents such as an assault on a moving passenger train that resulted in six casualties. Musk indicated that the measures taken to restrict unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have been successful, stating, Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done.
Starlink, which provides high-speed internet worldwide, has been instrumental in supporting Ukraine's communication capabilities since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression in 2022. However, these Russian drones are particularly challenging to counter as they fly at low altitudes and are remotely operated, making them less vulnerable to electronic warfare.
Fedorov revealed that SpaceX has implemented a speed limit of 75kph on Starlink terminals moving within Ukraine, complicating Russian operations. The Ministry of Defense plans to introduce a whitelist of approved Starlink terminals, disconnecting those that are unregistered. This cooperation aims to reduce the threat from Russian drones, but concerns remain as Starlink is also utilized by the Russian military for frontline communication.
Musk's relationship with Ukraine has seen turbulence over the past year, with points of contention arising from his decisions regarding Starlink access in occupied territories. Despite this, Fedorov acknowledged Musk's critical support during the initial invasion phase, emphasizing that Starlink is vital for Ukraine's stability. As Ukraine continues to evolve its defense strategies with technological partnerships, further collaboration with companies like SpaceX is anticipated to fortify its military capabilities.
The drones, involved in several recent deadly attacks, have been linked to incidents such as an assault on a moving passenger train that resulted in six casualties. Musk indicated that the measures taken to restrict unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have been successful, stating, Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done.
Starlink, which provides high-speed internet worldwide, has been instrumental in supporting Ukraine's communication capabilities since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression in 2022. However, these Russian drones are particularly challenging to counter as they fly at low altitudes and are remotely operated, making them less vulnerable to electronic warfare.
Fedorov revealed that SpaceX has implemented a speed limit of 75kph on Starlink terminals moving within Ukraine, complicating Russian operations. The Ministry of Defense plans to introduce a whitelist of approved Starlink terminals, disconnecting those that are unregistered. This cooperation aims to reduce the threat from Russian drones, but concerns remain as Starlink is also utilized by the Russian military for frontline communication.
Musk's relationship with Ukraine has seen turbulence over the past year, with points of contention arising from his decisions regarding Starlink access in occupied territories. Despite this, Fedorov acknowledged Musk's critical support during the initial invasion phase, emphasizing that Starlink is vital for Ukraine's stability. As Ukraine continues to evolve its defense strategies with technological partnerships, further collaboration with companies like SpaceX is anticipated to fortify its military capabilities.
