Ukraine Hails Musk’s Swift Action on Starlink
Ukraine has praised Elon Musk for taking steps to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called Musk “a true champion of freedom and a friend of the Ukrainian people” for acting quickly after Russian drones with Starlink connectivity were spotted in the country.
These drones have been linked to recent deadly attacks, including one on a moving passenger train that killed six people.
Musk confirmed on X that the measures were effective. “Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorised use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done,” he wrote.
How Starlink Is Being Used in Ukraine
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides high-speed internet globally. It has been active in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Fedorov explained that Russian drones are difficult to counter because they fly low, cannot be blocked with electronic warfare, and are controlled remotely in real time. The Institute for the Study of War reported that equipping cheap Molniya-2 drones with Starlink significantly increased their battlefield efficiency.
SpaceX Limits Starlink Speeds
While details remain limited, Ukraine’s defence ministry reported that SpaceX set a speed limit of 75kph for Starlink terminals in Ukraine. This prevents Russian operators from controlling faster-moving drones in real time.
Fedorov also revealed plans to implement a whitelist for approved Starlink terminals in Ukraine. Unregistered terminals will be disconnected. He emphasized that this initiative is being coordinated with SpaceX and that registration instructions will follow soon.
Musk’s Complex Relationship with Ukraine
Musk first provided Starlink to Ukraine on the day Russia invaded in February 2022, promising more satellite dishes. However, tensions arose when Musk restricted access in Crimea, citing concerns that Ukraine could use the system to target the Russian fleet, which he described as making SpaceX “complicit in a major act of war.”
Musk has criticized Western funding to Ukraine, calling it “insane” and without accountability. Still, he affirmed that Starlink terminals would not be turned off. “My Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. Their front line would collapse if I turned it off,” he said.
Despite these disputes, Fedorov praised Musk’s initial support, saying Starlink was “critically important for the stability of our state.” Fedorov, recently appointed as Ukraine’s defence minister, emphasizes data-driven strategies, cyber warfare, and close collaboration with Silicon Valley companies to strengthen Ukraine’s defence system.
