SpaceX counters Russia’s ‘unauthorized’ use of Starlink to guide drones in Ukraine
Efforts to halt Russia’s use of the Starlink internet system to guide its drones for attacks on Ukraine have produced “real results,” Ukraine’s defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Sunday.
TL;DR
- Ukraine and SpaceX are working together to prevent Russia from using Starlink to guide drones.
- Initial measures have already shown "real results" in curbing Russian Starlink usage.
- Ukraine plans to implement a system requiring registration and verification for Starlink terminals.
- Unverified Starlink terminals will be disabled in Ukraine.
- Russia has been reportedly using Starlink terminals on attack drones to extend their range and precision.
- Starlink is banned in Russia under US sanctions, but Russia has allegedly found ways to leverage the system.
- SpaceX investigates claims of unauthorized Starlink use and deactivates terminals if confirmed.
- Measures taken to curb Russian use have temporarily affected some Ukrainian users.