Ukraine sees 'actual outcomes' from blocking Russia’s Starlink use, protection minister says

[ad_1] SpaceX's preliminary steps to cease Russia from utilizing Starlink to regulate assault drones over Ukraine are already delivering "actual outcomes," Protection Minister Mykhailo Fedorov mentioned on Feb. 1.

Fedorov's assertion got here days after Ukraine's Protection Ministry reached out to SpaceX, urging the corporate to stop Russian drones from using Starlink, because the satellite tv for pc web system may assist them to function additional over Ukraine.

The corporate responded swiftly, with U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk writing on Feb. 1 that SpaceX's efforts to halt "unauthorized" Russian use of Starlink appeared to have labored.

"Tell us if extra must be carried out," he added.

In line with Fedorov, Ukraine continues to work "very intently" with Musk's crew on the subsequent "vital steps."

"Thanks for standing with us. You're a true champion of freedom and a real pal of the Ukrainian individuals," Fedorov replied to Musk on X.

Fedorov's advisor, Serhii Beskrestnov, mentioned on Jan. 31 that he could not disclose actions taken to cease Russia from utilizing Starlink, including that the present measures are non permanent and can finally get replaced with "world options."

"All these actions are geared toward one aim: the safety of our nation's residents (each navy and civilian) and our infrastructure from the menace posed by enemy strike (unmanned aerial autos)," Beskrestnov said .

Ukrainian forces rely considerably on Starlink for communication in frontline positions. Many commanders favor the satellite tv for pc web system over conventional radio communications, because it gives a safer strategy to join with troops at a distance.

In 2024, SpaceX mentioned that it doesn't promote or provide Starlink terminals to Russia, with Musk dismissing media reviews about Russia's use of Starlink as "categorically false."

Because the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Kyiv has acquired over 50,000 Starlink terminals. Final 12 months, Ukraine's reliance on Starlink was sophisticated by tensions with Musk, who briefly served within the second Trump administration.

Amid reported U.S. threats to dam Starlink entry in Ukraine final winter, then-Protection Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned that Kyiv has alternatives for the Starlink web system.