In a revealing account of modern warfare and technology’s role within it, officials from the Pentagon have disclosed their concerted efforts with SpaceX to thwart unauthorized use of the Starlink satellite internet service by Russian forces in Ukraine. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, John Plumb, detailed the involvement of the U.S. in collaboration with the Ukrainian government and SpaceX to counteract what is described as “Russian illicit use of Starlink terminals.”
This strategic partnership comes as a response to reports that Russian troops have been utilizing these terminals within Ukrainian territories. The reliance on Starlink in Ukraine is significant, with approximately 42,000 units reported to be in use across military and civilian entities, including hospitals and aid organizations. The superior security of Starlink, compared to traditional cellular or radio signals, has made it a pivotal asset for Ukrainian operations.
The U.S. has not publicly disclosed the specific methods employed to limit access to Starlink by Russian forces. However, the commitment to securing the network is underscored by Plumb’s assurance: “At this time we have successfully countered Russian use, but I am certain Russia will continue to try and find ways to exploit Starlink and other commercial communications systems.” He further added, “It will continue to be a problem, I think we’ve wrapped our heads around it and found good solutions with both Starlink and Ukraine.”
This tactical move by the Pentagon follows findings earlier in the year, where Ukraine’s military intelligence pointed out that thousands of Starlink terminals were being used by the Russian military. These claims led to a direct investigation by Democratic Congressmen Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia, expressing concerns over the implications for Ukrainian and U.S. national security.
SpaceX’s role in this operation has been noted as reliable by the Pentagon, with Plumb describing SpaceX as a “very reliable partner.” The company, led by Elon Musk, quickly provided Starlink terminals to Ukraine following the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022.
While SpaceX has denied selling Starlink units directly to Russia, it acknowledged that the service was not intended to be weaponized, indicating boundaries in the agreement between SpaceX and the Ukrainian government, particularly concerning the control of drones.
Beyond the immediate scope of the conflict, the partnership between the Pentagon and SpaceX presents broader implications for the use of commercial satellite networks in warfare.
Relevant articles:
– Pentagon blocks access to Starlink for Russians in Ukraine, pravda.com.ua, 05/10/2024
– Bloomberg: Pentagon blocks Russian military from accessing Starlink in Ukraine, Kyiv Independent, 05/09/2024
– Pentagon and SpaceX Oppose Russian Use of Starlink Terminals, Militarnyi, 05/09/2024
– Bodyguard Chief Sacked After Failed Plot on Zelensky – Ukraine at War Update for May 10, Kyiv Post, 05/10/2024
– The US Department of Defense succeeds in blocking the Russian military’s use of ‘Starlink’, GIGAZINE（ギガジン）, 05/10/2024