Elon Musk's efforts to stop Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks have 'delivered real results', a Ukrainian official said. Praising the SpaceX founder as 'a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people', defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Musk responded promptly when informed that Russian drones with Starlink connectivity were operating in Ukraine. These drones have been linked to deadly attacks, including one incident involving a passenger train that resulted in six fatalities.
'Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked,' Musk wrote on X, offering to assist further if needed.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been providing high-speed internet since the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022. However, its use by Russian forces raised concerns about its role in facilitating attacks. Recently, Ukrainian officials reported that SpaceX implemented a speed limit on moving Starlink terminals in Ukraine, severely impacting Russian drone capabilities by restricting their operational effectiveness.
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry is also rolling out a whitelist system for approved Starlink terminals, ensuring that only authorized devices can operate in the country. This measure aims to further mitigate risks associated with unauthorized satellite use.
While the effectiveness of Starlink in combat has been a topic of discussion, Fedorov emphasized that Ukraine's defense strategy would benefit significantly from collaboration with tech companies, aiming to strengthen national security with advanced cyber capabilities. Despite complexities in the relationship between Musk and Ukrainian authorities, the need for effective communication and control over technology remains a priority as the war progresses.
'Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked,' Musk wrote on X, offering to assist further if needed.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been providing high-speed internet since the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022. However, its use by Russian forces raised concerns about its role in facilitating attacks. Recently, Ukrainian officials reported that SpaceX implemented a speed limit on moving Starlink terminals in Ukraine, severely impacting Russian drone capabilities by restricting their operational effectiveness.
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry is also rolling out a whitelist system for approved Starlink terminals, ensuring that only authorized devices can operate in the country. This measure aims to further mitigate risks associated with unauthorized satellite use.
While the effectiveness of Starlink in combat has been a topic of discussion, Fedorov emphasized that Ukraine's defense strategy would benefit significantly from collaboration with tech companies, aiming to strengthen national security with advanced cyber capabilities. Despite complexities in the relationship between Musk and Ukrainian authorities, the need for effective communication and control over technology remains a priority as the war progresses.
