Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Agency Releases Intercepted Russian Radio Transmission on Starlink Satellite Internet Terminals
Audio recording alleges Russian soldiers are purchasing Starlink satellite internet terminals from Arab countries
February 13, 2024
Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Claims Russian Soldiers Seek Starlink Communication Tools
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the Main Department of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR), has released an intercepted audio recording allegedly featuring Russian soldiers discussing the purchase of communication devices, including Starlink satellite internet terminals. The agency suggests that the acquired equipment, intended to support their activities in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, is being sourced from Arab countries.
No Official Confirmation from The Kremlin and SpaceX
Both the Kremlin and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have previously denied reports from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency that Starlink terminals are being supplied to and deployed by Russian troops in occupied areas of Ukraine. Moscow and Musk maintain that Ukraine’s claims are unfounded. The Main Department of Intelligence states that the cost of purchasing a single Starlink device is approximately 200 thousand rubles, equivalent to roughly $2,200.
Ukraine’s Allegations of Starlink Terminal Usage by the Russian Armed Forces
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency intercepted Russian radio conversations over the weekend that indicated the presence of Starlink terminals in units of the 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Russian armed forces, specifically used to establish Internet access. The agency’s spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, emphasizes that the utilization of Starlink terminals by Russian forces is growing and starting to become systematic.
Reactions and Response
Reacting to the intercepted Russian radio transmission reports, Elon Musk took to X, a platform for sharing ideas, to refute the claims, calling them “categorically false.” Musk further asserted that, to the best knowledge of himself and SpaceX, no Starlink terminals have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia. As of now, SpaceX has not provided further comment on the matter.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov backed Musk’s counterclaim, stating that no certified Starlink system is available or officially supplied by Russia. Peskov clarified that, as a result of its unavailability and official status, Starlink service cannot be used by Russian troops. Reuters has reported Peskov’s remarks
Starlink Terminals in Ukraine Prior to Russian Invasion
Previously, in the months ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, documents obtained by news outlet Quartz through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that US government contractor DAI was actively searching for equipment to ensure continuous Internet access for the Ukrainian government. Fearing Russian physical and cyberattacks, DAI arranged for the delivery of several thousand Starlink satellite internet terminals to Ukraine in March 2022.
