Elon Musk Disables Starlink Access for Russian Forces, Impacting Drone Operations in Ukraine
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, announced that the company has successfully neutralized Russian military access to its Starlink satellite system. This follows reports from Ukrainian intelligence indicating that Moscow was using Starlink technology to coordinate kamikaze drone attacks.
Musk stated on the platform X:
"It appears that our measures to halt the illegal use of Starlink by Russia have been effective," asserting that technical steps taken by the company have successfully disconnected Russian drone networks from satellite services.
This initiative comes after official Ukrainian reports indicated that Russian forces had hacked Starlink receivers, using them to enhance the range of kamikaze drone attacks within Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed a close collaboration with SpaceX to ensure complete technological sovereignty over Ukrainian airspace. He noted that efforts are underway to implement new security protocols, including geographic restrictions and ensuring that only authorized devices operate within Ukrainian borders.
In the coming days, all users will be required to officially register their devices, with non-verified devices or those used by unauthorized parties being disabled.
SpaceX has previously emphasized its strict policy against engaging with the Kremlin or supplying military equipment to Russian forces. Estimates suggest that Russian forces acquired some of these devices through "seizures and theft" in occupied areas of Ukraine, subsequently reprogramming them for offensive use, which directly violates the company's usage policy.
Since the onset of the war in February 2022, Starlink has been pivotal for Ukrainian defense communications, with officials in Kyiv describing it as the "invisible weapon" that has prevented the collapse of the country's information infrastructure.
