Russian forces are trying to lure Ukrainian citizens to register Starlink terminals after the Ukrainian government and US entrepreneur Elon Musk's Spacex moved to block Russian troops from accessing the high-speed satellite internet needed on the front.
Starlink Terminals – War in Ukraine PHOTO shutterstock
According to Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, the new technology adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister, the Russian military is trying to recruit Ukrainians in an illicit scheme to gain access to Starlink terminals blocked for days by Russian troops, Euromaidan Press reports.
SpaceX suspended Internet services through its satellites at the request of Kiev, the measures being taken in coordination with Ukrainian officials. Internet access via Starlink terminals has become essential to Russian military operations, enabling real-time video transmission of information flow from drones, as well as communications between strike groups and command centers.
“The traitors are rightfully hesitant, because we will compare the number of Starlinks captured from the enemy with the data from the administrative service centers, and these “easy money lovers” will receive 15 years or life in prison if the terminal they registered causes the death of people.” Beskrestnov warned.
Russian military bloggers continue to report on the impact of these measures on the combat operations of Russian troops. On February 8, a blogger wrote that Russian units in various sectors of the front are experiencing communication problems and need donations of new equipment to ensure radio and satellite communication. Another described the blocking of access to Starlink as “extremely unfortunate”, noting that while “wise” commanders have created alternative means of communication, aware of the risks of relying on Starlink, Russian forces still lack an equivalent good enough to completely replace the system. The military blogger reported that all communications now take place “on the ground”.
Ukrainian authorities now have the ability to verify information about terminal owners and thus have the ability to detect potential illicit logging efforts as part of their effort to prevent adversary use of the technology. After losing access to Starlink, Russia's capabilities to coordinate units and operate drones were significantly limited, according to officials and early reports from Ukrainian frontline soldiers.
Thus, there is already a decrease in Russian assault operations following the blocking of unregistered Starlink terminals. Ukraine's Defense Minister Mihailo Fedorov confirmed that terminals on the so-called “white list” are still working, while Russian devices have been blocked.
SpaceX implemented countermeasures in its Starlink satellite communications system at the request of Ukraine, with some users affected by temporary restrictions intended to improve security. Following this development, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War previously assessed that Russian forces will face difficulties in maintaining their battlefield air interdiction campaign at previous levels of intensity in the short term, unless they find alternative solutions or develop new technological solutions to replace Starlink.
