The Washington Post: Illicit Starlink still helps Russian troops on the front line
13 October, 2024 Illustration photo of Russian military from Starlink. Photo from open sources Russian troops are still using illicit Starlink satellite communication terminals to increase their situational awareness.
The Washington Post reported on this. Russian troops are reported to have gained greater troop coordination and maneuverability capabilities with the help of illegal Starlink terminals. The terminals allow the Russians to use satellite internet to enhance coordination during assaults, fly more drone sorties, and batter Ukrainian troops with accurate artillery fire.
Starlink terminal at a Russian position in the occupied part of Ukraine. Photo credits: defenseone.com
The Washington Post writes that yet there is a burgeoning black market for Starlinks, which brings the terminals to Russians on the front line. According to the Ukrainian military, their proliferation has been an important factor in Russia's recent gains in Donbas during its offensive.
The WP authors recall that hundreds of thousands of Starlink terminals became the backbone of the Ukrainian army's communication system and provided a significant technological advantage over the enemy, who was outnumbered. Six Ukrainian soldiers and officers from different units across the Donetsk region told The Washington Post that Russia has closed the technology gap, making its forces more cohesive and boosting the number and precision of attacks.
Starlink in the Russian troops
In Ukraine, Starlink provided access to reliable Internet at the frontline, which allowed for significant benefits. It allowed Ukrainian commanders to see the battlefield in real-time thanks to drones, adjust fire, and identify areas where the enemy was most vulnerable.
At the same time, the Russians had mostly relied on slow radio communications, but now they have Starlink. "They just overpowered us," an officer in the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, which had defended the Vuhledar area since 2022 and recently had to withdraw, shared.
Russian military unpacks Starlink terminals. Photo credits: @clashreport
He described the Russian use of Starlink as an added advantage, along with manpower and weaponry shortfalls.
Starlink has been noticed at Russian positions for about a year, but only in recent months have they begun to determine their effect, which became especially noticeable during the Russian advance near Pokrovsk. "Before, the Russians couldn't control some of their movements, maneuvers, artillery, infantry," said a drone platoon commander with the 93rd Mechanized Brigade who provided just his first name, Yevhen, in line with Ukrainian military protocol.
Black market in Russia
While Russian companies and individuals are not authorized to sell Starlink, a gray market has emerged, fueled by the high demand from military forces and private buyers. The Washington Post reviewed four of the many Russian sites offering direct sales for the war.
Most terminals are sold through Telegram and start their journey in the Moscow area before being funneled to the front. One site offers a terminal and connection fees starting at just above £1,000. Customer service is free, and each client receives recommendations "to minimize risks of blocking," the page notes, with glowing video testimonials from soldiers.
Starlink terminal.
Photo from open sources
WP reminds that to activate a device, users need a foreign phone number, email address, and bank account to pay the monthly subscription fee. For this purpose, service companies are looking for those who can "borrow" their data. Users in Telegram customer support chats say that buying and registering a terminal abroad is not difficult.
This is mostly done in Europe and delivered via the United Arab Emirates. One supplier advised that connections for devices bought in the European Union could be blocked after 90 days of usage, suggesting one solution is to register using Ukrainian details.
Counteracting the Russian Starlink
In May, it was reported that the American company SpaceX is spending significant resources to counter Russian efforts to jam the Starlink satellite constellation system. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy shared that the Pentagon had found a way to prevent the Russian military from using Starlink Internet terminals without authorization.
"The United States has been actively working with the government of Ukraine and SpaceX to counter Russia's illegal use of Starlink terminals," John F. Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, stated.
Starlink terminal for Ukraine. August 2022.
Photo credits: Mykhailo Fedorov
The United States already opposes the Russian military's use of Stralink terminals, but Plumb believes that Russia is trying to circumvent these restrictions.
"Although it will continue to be a challenge, I think we have dealt with it and found good solutions with both Starlink and Ukraine," he added.
Plumb declined to specify what tactics, methods, or procedures were being used to counter Russian use of Starlink.