Taken from a drone and shared with the exclusive American site Defense One by a source in the Ukrainian army, the image is a bit blurry. But the white, rectangular shape we see there is completely recognizable: a Starlink receiver, allegedly found by the Ukrainian military at a Russian location in the east of the country.
For several days, Kiev authorities have accused the satellite internet service provider – a subsidiary of SpaceX, of which businessman Elon Musk is CEO – of allowing the Russian armed forces to use it. “Radio intercepts show that Starlink terminals were installed, for example, in units of 83E Airborne Brigade » in Donetsk Oblast, confirmed the intelligence service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (GUR). Using these powerful satellite instruments “Starting to get organized”An intelligence service official also revealed.
On his X account, Elon Musk denied any dealings with Moscow : “To our knowledge, no Starlink has been sold directly or indirectly to Russia? » “If SpaceX becomes aware of the use of the Starlink Terminal by an authorized or unauthorized third party, we will investigate and, if necessary, take steps to disable it”Starlink announced in a press release for its part.
According to Ukrainian media and GUR, Russian forces obtained the terminals needed by Dubai or other Middle Eastern countries. In fact it is common for embargoed countries to transport equipment that they are deprived of by third countries. “Starlink does not work in Dubai. Starlink cannot be acquired in Dubai and we do not ship there”
However, the company responded.In addition, Starlink terminals are supposed to work only in certain areas, and Russia is not one of them. But the situation in Russian-held areas in Ukraine and areas closer to the front line is less clear: it seems possible that Russian troops stationed near the coverage zone and got their hands on Starlink terminals to use them, if they did so with the company’s knowledge. “It is not a standardized system with us. Therefore, it cannot be provided officially and it is not provided officially. So we don’t use it in any official way.Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, disclosed confidentially to a journalist who questioned him on the subject.
You have 60% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
This is a new record that scientists from the Korea Fusion Energy Institute (KFE) have…
Damages associated with drought, floods, hail and other increasingly violent events are expected to increase…
An estimated 9 million people in the United States are still waiting for their final…
The death of seven humanitarian workers from the American NGO World Central Kitchen in an…
Today, at one o'clock in the morning, Gamer updates it Boutique de Fortnite Through the…
The Basic Instinct and Casino actress looks back at a time in Hollywood when adapting…