Russian invaders are using Starlink satellite devices on the battlefield

10 February, 2024 Russian military unpacks Starlink terminals. Photo credits: @clashreport Russian forces are increasingly using Starlink terminals within the territories they occupy.

Oleh Kutkov, a Kyiv-based engineer who works regarding Starlink terminals for Ukraine's military, said that there had also been many complaints about the stability of communication and speed on the front line. "Indeed, Russians have begun to actively use terminals on the front line," the engineer says. Terminals are actively purchased and resold by Russian resellers.

The purchases are made through third countries, through front companies. "It is impossible to track and stop these schemes, as our volunteers buy terminals in the same way in all countries and pay with different cards," says Oleh Kutkov.

Starlink terminal at a Russian position in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

Photo credits: defenseone.com

These terminals operate exclusively on the territory of Ukraine. The fact is that in the 20-kilometer zone on the front line, it is impossible to distinguish which side owns the terminal. This allows Russian invaders on the front line to use Starlink terminals as well.

"So either everyone is working or no one is working," said Oleh Kutkov. Oleh Kutkov added that in these frontline areas, all terminals use the same channel under the same scheduler from the satellite.

Ukrainian serviceman installs Starlink.

Photo credits: Armed Forces of Ukraine

A large number of terminals are concentrated in one area that leads to system overload and a drop in speed. SpaceX stated that the company does not do business of any kind with the Russian Government or its military.

SpaceX's Starlink terminal.

Photo from open sources

"Starlink is not active in Russia, meaning service will not work in that country.

SpaceX has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia," the company emphasized.