Elon Musk's efforts to stop Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks have delivered real results, a Ukrainian official said. Praising the SpaceX founder as a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people, defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Musk had swiftly responded when he was informed that Russian drones with Starlink connectivity were operating in the country.
The drones have been linked to several deadly attacks by Russia on Ukraine, including one on a moving passenger train that resulted in six fatalities. Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked, Musk wrote on X. Let us know if more needs to be done.
Starlink satellites operated by SpaceX provide high-speed internet globally and have been functioning in Ukraine since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The Russian drones, notoriously hard to defeat due to their low flight altitude and real-time operator control, have posed serious challenges.
In light of the situation, Musk implemented a speed limit of 75kph on Starlink terminals in Ukraine to hinder Russian operators' control over their drones during operations. Additionally, Fedorov announced plans for a whitelist of approved Starlink satellite terminals, stating that all unregistered terminals would be disconnected in coordination with SpaceX.
Despite previous tensions between Musk and Ukraine, with Musk denying access to Starlink in Crimea and expressing concerns over the implications of military support, Fedorov continues to appreciate his prompt actions at the start of the war. As Ukraine’s new defense minister, Fedorov is focused on utilizing data-driven strategies and collaborating with tech companies to enhance the nation's defense capabilities.
The drones have been linked to several deadly attacks by Russia on Ukraine, including one on a moving passenger train that resulted in six fatalities. Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked, Musk wrote on X. Let us know if more needs to be done.
Starlink satellites operated by SpaceX provide high-speed internet globally and have been functioning in Ukraine since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The Russian drones, notoriously hard to defeat due to their low flight altitude and real-time operator control, have posed serious challenges.
In light of the situation, Musk implemented a speed limit of 75kph on Starlink terminals in Ukraine to hinder Russian operators' control over their drones during operations. Additionally, Fedorov announced plans for a whitelist of approved Starlink satellite terminals, stating that all unregistered terminals would be disconnected in coordination with SpaceX.
Despite previous tensions between Musk and Ukraine, with Musk denying access to Starlink in Crimea and expressing concerns over the implications of military support, Fedorov continues to appreciate his prompt actions at the start of the war. As Ukraine’s new defense minister, Fedorov is focused on utilizing data-driven strategies and collaborating with tech companies to enhance the nation's defense capabilities.
