The recordings show a soldier attaching the terminal to his saddle. Everything seems to indicate that connected it to the smartphone hidden in his breast pocketwhose camera is facing forward. A power bank placed next to the saddle probably powers the terminal. This allows for direct transmissions from the perspective of a cavalryman and allows you to follow movements on the front live on the Internet.
The Starlink terminal is equipment enabling connection to Elon Musk's satellite network – SpaceX. Mobile systems can be used almost anywhere, providing fast internet even in hard-to-reach places.
The fact that Russia has access to this technology is a problem for Ukraine. Ukrainians have suspected this for a long time Russian Starlink terminals are being used intentionally to disrupt communications and coordination on the Ukrainian side. Although individual devices can be deactivated and Starlink can be blocked in some zones, illegally obtained terminals still appear at the front.
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Why do Russian soldiers use horses?
What are the disadvantages of using horses in war?
Where do Russian soldiers get Starlink terminals?
What other equipment is used to mount terminals on the front end?
According to the Washington Post, the terminals are sold on the black market for about $1,000. [ok. 3600 zł] and activated by foreign telephone numbers – for example in the Middle East.
Internet users laugh at the horses at the front
The fact that Russian soldiers use horses is part of a trend that has been observed for months: Russian troops are increasingly using animals — especially where there is fierce fighting or where vehicle infrastructure is missing or destroyed.
In the fall, donkeys and horses were used to transport ammunition and supplies through muddy, boggy areas. There was a lot of ridicule on the Internet. The memes mocked an army that looked like it had traveled back to the Middle Ages. Using animals has two serious disadvantages: they need care and food, and they can be easily detected using thermal cameras.
Despite this, the Russian army relies on horses. — They are quiet, do not need fuel and have an instinct that helps them avoid mines better and is able to orientate themselves after dark, explained one of the commanders in the pro-government newspaper Kommersant.
Interestingly, terminals at the front are installed not only on horses. According to Defense Express, Russian soldiers also install equipment on drones. In December, the first photos of the “Mołnia” drone appeared near Pokrovsk, on which Starlink was mounted.
