Ukraine’s defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that they are talking with SpaceX, the U.S. space company that runs the Starlink satellite internet system, after reports that Russian military drones have been found using Starlink equipment in their attacks. These drones had Starlink devices attached, allowing them to communicate and operate in ways that can bypass Ukraine’s defense systems.
Fedorov said Ukraine contacted SpaceX quickly after the first signs of the problem. He thanked SpaceX leaders, including Elon Musk and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, for replying quickly and starting work to fix the problem. He said SpaceX’s support earlier in the war, by turning on Starlink and sending internet devices, was very important to help Ukraine stay connected.
Ukraine has used Starlink satellite internet to keep military communication open and help soldiers to stay connected with each other on the battlefield. The network has been very important since Russia started its full attack. It has helped soldiers share information, stay in touch, and keep working even when other ways of communication were available.
But, in recent weeks Ukrainian officials shared proof that a crashed Russian drone was found with a Starlink Mini Kit terminal attached to it. The terminal had a model number, showing that it was a real product of Starlink. Ukrainian adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said that Russian forces may be using Starlink to control drones in Ukrainian territory.
Satellite internet systems like Starlink can help drones to stay connected over long distances. They can keep control signals working even in places where normal radios or military communication are blocked. Experts outside Ukraine also said that Russia has been trying to put Starlink devices on different types of drones, including spy drones and attack drones. This can make it harder to stop the drones and allow the operators to control them accurately.
Until now, SpaceX had strongly rejected these statements that Starlink was officially used by the Russian military. The company has said it does not work directly with the Russian government or military, and Starlink service is not available inside Russia under normal system. SpaceX also says that it did not sell or ship Starlink terminals to Russia, and that the system was made for civilian use, not military operations.
The proof of Starlink equipment being used by Russian forces seems to come from illegal sources, meaning devices may have been changed or used in wrong way. SpaceX has previously said that it will deactivate Starlink terminals if it confirms they are being used by Russia or in ways that violate its terms of service.
Ukraine and SpaceX are working together to find ways to stop or block such use by Russian drones. The cooperation is seen as necessary because Starlink helps Ukraine to stay connected in a war where communication can be disrupted by battle conditions, and its misuse could give Russia an advantage in striking accurately in Ukrainian territory.
Starlink has been very important for Ukraine in the war. It has helped soldiers to stay updated in places where phones and internet lines were broken. Ukrainian leaders have said the network is strong and very helpful during the fighting.
The new discussions aim to make sure that Starlink remains a tool for protecting people and supporting defense communication, not something that can be turned against Ukraine’s security. Ukrainian officials say that continued support from SpaceX will be important in keeping Starlink safe and useful for the future.