NewsPentagon blocks Russian forces from using Starlink in cyber warfare effort

Pentagon blocks Russian forces from using Starlink in cyber warfare effort

Starlink terminals not for Russians

Images source: © Getty Images | Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz, Bloomberg

6:31 AM EDT, May 11, 2024

The Pentagon has decided to block Russian forces from using Starlink internet terminals, which Elon Musk's SpaceX provides to support internet connectivity in Ukraine. The move aims to prevent Russian soldiers from accessing these devices.

The United States Department of Defense announced on Thursday that it has taken effective measures to thwart the Russian armed forces' unauthorized use of Starlink terminals. According to Bloomberg, John Plum, the Pentagon's head of space policy, stated this.

Bloomberg reported that Plum mentioned the United States has been actively working with the Ukrainian government and SpaceX to counter Russia's illicit use of Starlink terminals. He acknowledged the success of these measures yet speculated Russia would persist in trying to exploit Starlink and other commercial communication systems.

Plum refrained from divulging specific strategies to keep Starlink terminals out of Russian hands. Nevertheless, he confirmed these strategies were effectively crafted in collaboration with Starlink and Ukraine.

The Ukrainian armed forces first observed the use of Starlink terminals by Russian units in February, a fact later verified by Ukrainian military intelligence indicating Moscow's procurement of these terminals through Arab countries.

This situation prompted Democrats in the United States House of Representatives to initiate an investigation into SpaceX.

Furthermore, in September 2023, the United States Senate Armed Services Committee launched a probe into potential national security risks stemming from Elon Musk's decision to disable access to his private satellite network, Starlink, in areas near Crimea.