- Evidence has emerged that Russian troops use Starlink terminals
- Terminals are supposed to be blocked in Russia
- Russian pro-war fans have now dubbed Musk ‘Colonel Elon Muskov’
Russian pro-war zealots have dubbed Elon Musk ‘Colonel Elon Muskov’, amid claims that his Starlink satellite system is deployed by Vladimir Putin’s forces in occupied Ukraine.
kyiv said on Sunday that Russian troops were using the SpaceX communications device in their invasion of Ukraine, according to a military intelligence spokesman. Andriy Yusov called the problem “systemic.”
He said: ‘Cases of use of these devices by Russian occupiers have been recorded. “This is starting to become systemic.”
The technology has played a key role in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but is supposed to be “geofenced” so that they do not operate in unauthorized nations, including Russia.
But Russia’s 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade is among those using the service, around the Klishchiivka and Andriivka battlefields, Ukrainian military intelligence agency GUR says.
Elon Musk (pictured) came under fire after evidence emerged that Russian troops were using Starlink terminals
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
A Ukrainian soldier from an artillery unit fires at Russian positions on the outskirts of Bakhmut.
Vladimir Putin’s forces (pictured) have allegedly been using Starlink satellites
It appears to be operational in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of occupied Ukraine, giving a decisive military advantage to Putin’s forces.
Some believe that Russian forces have been able to “spoof” Starlink terminals, making them appear to be operating in authorized regions.
Others theorize that Russian soldiers may have stolen terminals from Ukrainian areas that are in authorized regions, but have since been taken over by invading forces.
It has also been suggested that the terminals were purchased clandestinely in the United Arab Emirates.
The pro-war Big Two approvingly nicknamed X owner Musk, 52, Colonel Muskov.
The channel said: ‘Russian resellers actively buy and resell terminals (Starlink).
‘The purchase is made through third countries, through front men. It is impossible to trace and cover up these plans.”
Some believe Russian forces may have ‘faked’ Starlink terminals
It has also been suggested that the terminals were purchased clandestinely in the United Arab Emirates.
So far, the system has worked in Ukraine, except in Crimea, as Musk wanted to prevent kyiv from attacking Russian warships.
The system has so far operated in Ukraine, except in Crimea, as Musk wanted to prevent kyiv from attacking Russian warships and use the terminals for humanitarian rather than military purposes.
Musk, seen as having pro-Russian sympathies, was praised by dictator Putin this week.
The American technology magnate called for an end to American economic support for Ukraine during the war with Russia.
Musk stated: “It’s time to stop the meat grinder… it should have been done a year ago.”
SpaceX said it “does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military.”
The company said: “Starlink is not active in Russia, which means the 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.”
Musk, seen as having pro-Russian sympathies, was praised by dictator Putin this week.
The US military portal Defense One claimed that Russia had been using Starlink for several months.
And in a post to This is categorically false.”
It could disable terminals obtained without proper licenses, but this would not prevent Russian forces from using it in areas of occupied Ukraine, except Crimea.
The US military portal Defense One claimed that the Russians had been using Starlink for several months.
“We are not allowed to activate connectivity with a sanctioned country without government approval, which we did not have,” Musk said previously.
“They were asking us to participate in a great act of war.”