Russian Shahed Drone with Starlink Terminal Shot Down Over Ukraine

25 September, 2024 The Russian drone Geran-2 (Shahed), which had a Starlink terminal installed, was shot down over Ukraine. September 2024. Photo credits: Polkovnyk GSh Telegram channel

The Ukrainian military shot down a Russian Geran-2 (Shahed) drone, in which the invaders installed a Starlink terminal. The photos of the downed loitering munitions were published on the Polkovnyk GSh Telegram channel. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that on September 25, 2024, Ukrainian air defense shot down 28 attack drones.

Another four Russian drones crashed in several regions of Ukraine. It is possible that there could be more such drones with Starlink installed. The terminal could be used to provide a stable satellite communication channel for transmitting photos, videos (if a camera is available), and telemetry information.

"It's a very strange and questionable decision, in my opinion, and so far it looks more like the utilization of captured Ukrainian terminals or terminals that aren't functioning in Russia," reads the post shared on the Polkovnyk GSh Telegram channel.

The Russian drone Geran-2 (Shahed), which had a Starlink terminal installed, was shot down over Ukraine. September 2024. Photo credits: Polkovnyk GSh Telegram channel

Starlink satellite communications is one of the key factors in providing situational awareness, command and control of troops, and communication between units during the large-scale Russian-Ukrainian war.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has been cooperating with the U.S. military for a long time to stop the illegal use of its Starlink satellite communication terminals by Russia in Ukraine. The Pentagon stated that for every 100 Starlink terminals located in Ukraine, one was installed illegally.

Starlink terminal for Ukraine. August 2022.

Photo credits: Mykhailo Fedorov

However, despite the blocking of the terminals, the Russian invaders are adapting and making new attempts to gain illegal access to Starlink satellite Internet. It is possible that by examining the numbers on the terminal installed on the drone, authorities may trace the source of who provided the Starlink connection.