<p>Ukraine claimed in February that the Russian forces in occupied regions have been using Starlink terminals produced by Elon Musk's SpaceX for satellite internet. Kyiv's main military intelligence agency had also claimed that it appeared to look like the start of their "systemic" application.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition to the previous claims, a report by The Wall Street Journal highlighted how Starlink is being misused by middlemen and agents in sensitive regions through the black market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the Russia-Ukraine war started in February 2022, the terminals were sent to aid Ukraine. It emerged to be a vital system that helped Kyiv in battlefield communications.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-airstrikes-hit-ukraines-kharkiv-region-killing-3-709881">Russian airstrikes hit Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing 3</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>But Ukraine has claimed that the terminals were being used by units like Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade, which remained active in several ravaged regions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Starlink maintained that it does not provide service to Russia's government or military. The Kremlin also once said that Russia never certified the usage of terminals, hence they weren't being used. But the easy and illegitimate access to its service might put Musk in a difficult spot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Starlink had also posted a statement on social media platform X, stating: "If SpaceX obtains knowledge that a Starlink terminal is being used by a sanctioned or unauthorised party, we investigate the claim and take actions to deactivate the terminal if confirmed."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/teslas-elon-musk-to-meet-pm-modi-in-india-may-announce-investment-plans-report-709862">Tesla's Elon Musk to meet PM Modi in India, may announce investment plans: Report</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia blames West and Kyiv for attack&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Ukraine had claimed without evidence that Russian forces obtained Starlink satellite terminals illicitly from third countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the WSJ report mentioned that a Russian online retailer told the newspaper that his business saw a boost by selling dozens of Starlink internet terminals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported, the Moscow-based salesman told the paper that he received orders from a region recently annexed by Russia, the man who was interviewed identified himself only as Oleg and referred to the region as the "new territories". He claimed that the terminals were for "use by the military" and he said volunteers delivered the equipment to Russian soldiers in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not just Ukraine, Starlink terminals are also being bought and sold on the black market in Sudan. The report claimed that the Sudanese dealers resell units to the Rapid Support Forces, which is a paramilitary group.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Ukraine claimed in February that the Russian forces in occupied regions have been using Starlink terminals produced by Elon Musk's SpaceX for satellite internet.

Ukraine claimed in February that the Russian forces in occupied regions have been using Starlink terminals produced by Elon Musk's SpaceX for satellite internet. Kyiv's main military intelligence agency had also claimed that it appeared to look like the start of their "systemic" application. In addition to the previous claims, a report by The Wall Street Journal highlighted how Starlink is being misused by middlemen and agents in sensitive regions through the black market. When the Russia-Ukraine war started in February 2022, the terminals were sent to aid Ukraine. It emerged to be a vital system that helped Kyiv in battlefield communications. Also read: Russian airstrikes hit Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing 3 But Ukraine has claimed that the terminals were being used by units like Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade, which remained active in several ravaged regions. Starlink maintained that it does not provide service to Russia's government or military. The Kremlin also once said that Russia never certified the usage of terminals, hence they weren't being used. But the easy and illegitimate access to its service might put Musk in a difficult spot. Starlink had also posted a statement on social media platform X, stating: "If SpaceX obtains knowledge that a Starlink terminal is being used by a sanctioned or unauthorised party, we investigate the claim and take actions to deactivate the terminal if confirmed." Also read: Tesla's Elon Musk to meet PM Modi in India, may announce investment plans: Report Watch: Russia blames West and Kyiv for attack × Ukraine had claimed without evidence that Russian forces obtained Starlink satellite terminals illicitly from third countries. But the WSJ report mentioned that a Russian online retailer told the newspaper that his business saw a boost by selling dozens of Starlink internet terminals. As reported, the Moscow-based salesman told the paper that he received orders from a region recently annexed by Russia, the man who was interviewed identified himself only as Oleg and referred to the region as the "new territories". He claimed that the terminals were for "use by the military" and he said volunteers delivered the equipment to Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Not just Ukraine, Starlink terminals are also being bought and sold on the black market in Sudan. The report claimed that the Sudanese dealers resell units to the Rapid Support Forces, which is a paramilitary group. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies)

Are Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals helping Russia in war against Ukraine?

<p>As the recent volcanic eruption snapped the communication links of Tonga with the rest of the world, billionaire Elon Musk has offered to send Starlink internet terminals to the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>To a story that Tonga may have to live without internet for a month, the entrepreneur wrote on Twitter,&nbsp;“Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals?” &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/64-magnitude-earthquake-rocks-japan-govt-sets-up-crisis-centre-446592" hreflang="en">6.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Japan, govt sets up crisis centre</a></strong></p>

<p>Soon, the post went viral. From all over the world, numerous Tongans replied to the tweet with requests for help to reestablish communication&nbsp;as&nbsp;it could help to contact families and coordinate assistance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals?</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1484422174626746371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Lord Fusitu’a, a politician from Tonga also said, “Yes we need them to get liquidity in to purchase much-needed goods. Voice and data completely down with undersea cable severed.” &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> we need them to get liquidity in to purchase much needed goods. Voice &amp; data Completely down with undersea cable severed. I have a plane airdropping hamradio in for basic comms, but <a href="https://twitter.com/starlink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@starlink</a> essential. Pls contact me to coordinate and help.</p>
— Lord Fusitu'a (@LordFusitua) <a href="https://twitter.com/LordFusitua/status/1484443520643780613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Fusitu’a&nbsp;also requested for direct contact with Musk to coordinate assistance as he was organising an airdrop of ham radios for basic communications. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/real-life-aquaman-disabled-tongan-man-swam-for-27-hours-after-tsunami-446268" hreflang="en">'Real life Aquaman': Disabled Tongan man swam for 27 hours after tsunami</a></strong></p>

<p>Josephine Latu-Sanft, a communications specialist from Tonga, suggested to give internet to people until the undersea cable gets repaired and then work with partners to establish robust communications infrastructure across Pacific. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a hard thing for us to do right now, as we don’t have enough satellites with laser links and there are already geo sats that serve the Tonga region. That is why I’m asking for clear confirmation.</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1484424055071641602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>In response, Musk wrote, “This is a hard thing for us to do right now, as we don’t have enough satellites with laser links and there are already geo sats that serve the Tonga region. That is why I’m asking for clear confirmation.” &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


As the recent volcanic eruption snapped the communication links of Tonga with the rest of the world, billionaire Elon Musk has offered to send Starlink internet terminals to the country.

As the recent volcanic eruption snapped the communication links of Tonga with the rest of the world, billionaire Elon Musk has offered to send Starlink internet terminals to the country. To a story that Tonga may have to live without internet for a month, the entrepreneur wrote on Twitter, “Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals?” Also Read: 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Japan, govt sets up crisis centre Soon, the post went viral. From all over the world, numerous Tongans replied to the tweet with requests for help to reestablish communication as it could help to contact families and coordinate assistance. Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2022 × Lord Fusitu’a, a politician from Tonga also said, “Yes we need them to get liquidity in to purchase much-needed goods. Voice and data completely down with undersea cable severed.” Yes @elonmusk we need them to get liquidity in to purchase much needed goods. Voice & data Completely down with undersea cable severed. I have a plane airdropping hamradio in for basic comms, but @starlink essential. Pls contact me to coordinate and help. — Lord Fusitu'a (@LordFusitua) January 21, 2022 × Fusitu’a also requested for direct contact with Musk to coordinate assistance as he was organising an airdrop of ham radios for basic communications. Also Read | 'Real life Aquaman': Disabled Tongan man swam for 27 hours after tsunami Josephine Latu-Sanft, a communications specialist from Tonga, suggested to give internet to people until the undersea cable gets repaired and then work with partners to establish robust communications infrastructure across Pacific. This is a hard thing for us to do right now, as we don’t have enough satellites with laser links and there are already geo sats that serve the Tonga region. That is why I’m asking for clear confirmation. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2022 × In response, Musk wrote, “This is a hard thing for us to do right now, as we don’t have enough satellites with laser links and there are already geo sats that serve the Tonga region. That is why I’m asking for clear confirmation.” (With inputs from agencies)

To restore internet, Elon Musk offers to send Starlink terminals to volcano-hit Tonga. See what happens next

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Are Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals helping Russia in war against Ukraine?

To restore internet, Elon Musk offers to send Starlink terminals to volcano-hit Tonga. See what happens next