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

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.

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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."

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)