A recent report by Ukrainian media including the outlet Defence Express, has sparked controversy surrounding the use of Starlink technology.
According to reports, a Russian drone shot down over Ukraine was equipped with hardware from Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service. Pictures of the wreckage show parts bearing the Starlink logo, suggesting that the equipment could have been used to provide internet connectivity for the drone in question. The downed drone was one of 28 intercepted by Ukrainian forces in a larger attack, as detailed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The drone in question appears to be a Geran-2, a Russian version of Iran’s Shahed 136 drone. These propeller-powered drones have an extensive range of around 2,500 kilometers and can carry either a warhead or surveillance equipment. If the Starlink hardware was indeed integrated, it could have enabled real-time streaming and data transmission, leveraging Starlink’s fast upload speeds, which range between 5 to 20 Mbit/sec.
The presence of Starlink equipment on a Russian drone has raised serious questions. Congress in the United States has already demanded answers regarding the alleged use of Starlink by Russian forces in Ukraine. Although Elon Musk has previously stated that Starlink is not sold in Russia and won’t operate there, there are concerns that Moscow has found ways to bypass these restrictions. Some reports suggest that Starlink-equipped devices may only activate after crossing into areas where the service is allowed, such as Ukraine.
The report claims that the wreckage bears serial numbers, which, if verified, could potentially trace the equipment’s origin and prove whether it was Starlink hardware. Verification of such a claim would lend credibility to earlier reports alleging that Russian ground forces routinely use Starlink for battlefield communication.
Ukraine has heavily relied on Starlink since Elon Musk responded to Russia’s invasion by sending over $80 million worth of antennas to the country. The system has been crucial for keeping Ukraine’s communications operational, especially in areas where infrastructure has been damaged by conflict. The Pentagon and the European Union have also contributed to funding the Starlink initiative in Ukraine, further integrating the service into Ukrainian military operations.
However, the technology’s military use has not been without controversy. Last year, reports emerged that Musk refused to grant Ukraine internet access for its drones during a planned attack on Russian forces in Sevastopol, citing concerns about escalating the conflict.
Musk’s stance on limiting Starlink’s use for offensive military operations has drawn mixed reactions as the war in Ukraine continues.
