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."

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.