By Elon Musk has dismissed assertions made by Ukraine regarding the alleged utilization of Starlink by Russian troops, stating that Starlink is not operational in Russia.
Ukrainian Allegations
Earlier, Ukrainian military intelligence asserted that Russian forces were employing Musk’s Starlink satellites to facilitate battlefield communications. The intelligence agency shared an audio recording purportedly capturing Russian soldiers communicating via Starlink terminals in the Donetsk region.
Musk’s Denial
Contrary to Ukraine’s claims, Musk refuted the notion that SpaceX has supplied Starlink terminals to Russia. He categorically denied any direct or indirect sales of Starlink equipment to Russia, emphasizing that such reports are false.
Starlink’s Inoperability in Russia
Musk further clarified that Starlink would not establish connections in Russia, reinforcing SpaceX’s statement that Starlink is not active in the country. SpaceX also asserted its commitment to investigating and deactivating any Starlink terminal used by unauthorized parties.
Uncertainty Surrounding Ukrainian Regions
While Musk and SpaceX addressed the situation concerning Russia, they did not provide clarity on whether Starlink technology could be accessed in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. Starlink users undergo authentication, but there are speculations that Russian soldiers might have acquired equipment from Ukrainian forces to access the network.
Assessments by Analysts
Space warfare analysts note Russia’s efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s access to Starlink but suggest that their jamming attempts have not succeeded thus far.
In summary, Elon Musk’s rebuttal challenges Ukraine’s claims of Russian forces utilizing Starlink. As the situation unfolds, clarity is needed regarding the accessibility of Starlink in conflict zones and the measures to mitigate unauthorized usage.