NewsPentagon blocks Starlink use by Russian forces in Ukraine

Pentagon blocks Starlink use by Russian forces in Ukraine

According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon reported that it successfully prevented the Russian military's unauthorized use of Starlink internet terminals in Ukraine. Bloomberg refers to John Plumb, the United States Department of Defense space policy department head, who stated that the United States "actively worked with the Ukrainian government and SpaceX to counter the illegal use of Starlink terminals by Russia."

The operator of the Starlink system is the company SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
The operator of the Starlink system is the company SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
Images source: © Getty Images | Apu Gomes

5:02 AM EDT, May 10, 2024

Access to Starlink for Russians blocked

Plumb remarked, “So far, we have effectively countered Russian use, but I am confident that Russia will continue to seek ways to exploit Starlink and other commercial communications systems.”

A Pentagon official did not disclose the specific tactics, methods, and procedures employed to terminate Russia's use of Starlink terminals. However, he highlighted that these were "effective solutions" developed in collaboration with Starlink and Ukraine.

In February, the Ukrainian military reported that the Russians had started using Starlink terminals at their positions. This information was later corroborated by Ukrainian military intelligence, which noted that Moscow acquires terminals from Arab countries.

These developments led to Democrats in the US House of Representatives initiating an investigation into SpaceX.

In September 2023, the US Senate Armed Services Committee began scrutinizing the national security implications of Elon Musk's decision to block his private satellite network, Starlink, near Crimea.

Related content
© essanews.com
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.