Russian Forces Using Starlink: Ukraine Intelligence

Monday, February 12, 2024

Ukrainian intelligence said it has confirmed that Russian forces are using satellite internet service Starlink on the battlefield in occupied areas in the east of the country.

Posted by REDIAL at 08:56 AM | 19 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

Following reports in Ukraine, Space X said last week that it "does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military". However, the Ministry of Defence's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) posted an audio clip on Telegram which it said featured Russian troops discussing setting up the terminals in eastern Ukraine.

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... Space X said last week that it "does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military"...

Of course they don't.

They likely use an intermediary.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-11 02:32 PM | Reply

There's a global network of Russian shell companies that setup in places like Dubai and act as the pass through to the Russian govt. They are very skilled at evading sanctions and as this article notes, have large quantities of theoretically banned Western gear.

#2 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-02-11 02:50 PM | Reply

I can't imagine anyone is surprised by this.

The surprise would be if Musk took steps to stop Russia from using his technology.

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-11 02:57 PM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 3

The surprise would be if Musk took steps to stop Russia from using his technology.

#3 | POSTED BY SNOOFY AT 2024-02-11 02:57 PM | REPLY |

What kind of idiot would do that? Russians using an Defense Department contractor's communication system is exactly what we would want them to do.

#4 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-02-12 09:50 AM | Reply

The surprise would be if Musk took steps to stop Russia from using his technology.

#3 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

Given the rate at which he's pissing away billions of dollars while showing himself to be a complete moron and right wing tool, of course he's going to tap into any revenue stream he can access.

Even if it means looking the other way while servicing one of the biggest pieces of scum on the planet.

#5 | Posted by jpw at 2024-02-12 09:51 AM | Reply

This article is total --------. It's more war propaganda. Don't be a ------. This one falls into the "big lie" category the RussiaGate Hoax, the Laptop Hoax and the "There where good people" Hoax.

Who was the source for this? Oh, right.

#6 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2024-02-12 10:24 AM | Reply | Funny: 3

Is that an attacking the source fallacy, sans any proof?

Why, I think it is!

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2024-02-12 10:41 AM | Reply

If HeliumHead believes it, then it has to be!

#8 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2024-02-12 10:48 AM | Reply

Space X said last week that it "does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military

That means 100% they are.

#9 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-02-12 11:12 AM | Reply

This forum has the strategic acumen of a potato.

#10 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-02-12 11:14 AM | Reply

"Russians using an Defense Department contractor's communication system is exactly what we would want them to do."

Why would Ukraine say that part out loud?

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-12 11:16 AM | Reply

Um, Starlink us turned off over Russian occupied territory. How long have we known that? Remember when Ukraine wanted to use it to strike Crimea and into the Black Sea and Musk said no?

And why would the Russians use Starlink in the first place?

Total war propaganda.

#12 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2024-02-12 11:25 AM | Reply

#11 Snoofy

First imagine Sitzkreig's sceanrio, Russians using a US Defense Department's system and our ability to track Russia military comms.
Next imagine Ukraine finding out Russians use Starlink.
Now to the theoretical scenario, imagine being Ukraine and having evidence Russians are using Starlink.
Thicken the plot, imagine Ukraine asking for said communications or access from Starlink and the leverage having damage exposing footage of Russians using Starlink might cause to the E Muskulated man.
Now make the leap to why would Ukraine say that part out loud?

Easy to imagine Ukraine found out Russia uses Starlink, asked with Musk with a carrot sweetly for access while holding a stick of evidence behind their back, then Musk, calling their 'bluff', still denying Ukraine access to Russia's Starlink comms only...Ukraine wasn't bluffing. And there you have it. A reason Ukraine said that part out loud.

#13 | Posted by gavaster at 2024-02-12 11:30 AM | Reply

Simply put. Revealing Ukraine knows Russia uses Starlink was the most valuable use of said knowledge. The speculation as to why that is true, that's the fun part.

#14 | Posted by gavaster at 2024-02-12 11:44 AM | Reply

Is that an attacking the source fallacy, sans any proof?
- corkster

No it's attacking a history of lie about the war. Killing hundreds of thousands while you're afraid of Putin under your bed.

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-12 11:56 AM | Reply

Why would Ukraine say that part out loud?

#11 | POSTED BY SNOOFY AT 2024-02-12 11:16 AM | REPLY

Incompetence.

#16 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-02-12 12:21 PM | Reply

Putin in your bed is something you should reconsider.

He pays in rubles.

#17 | Posted by Corky at 2024-02-12 12:21 PM | Reply

Total war propaganda.

#12 | POSTED BY HELIUMRAT

Fox News is reporting the same thing.

Now what is it ?

Russian occupiers are using Elon Musk's Starlink in Ukraine, officials say
Starlink donated terminals to Ukraine after Russia's invasion

Russian occupiers in Ukraine have commandeered some Starlink terminals and are using them for communications, Ukrainian officials say.

Starlink, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, sent terminals to Ukraine soon after Russia's invasion in February 2022, and they have been key to ensuring the stability of Ukrainian communications. Nevertheless, some terminals have been taken by Russian forces.

"Cases of the Russian occupiers' use of the given devices have been registered. It is beginning to take on a systemic nature," Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian defence ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence, said in a statement.

www.foxbusiness.com

#18 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-12 01:45 PM | Reply

In a sense this may be an exploit that is being deliberately encouraged. Not to deny that Musk wouldn't be complicit, but to whom and for how much?

It just feels so retro-spy movie plot, I can almost hear a distant surf guitar..

#19 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2024-02-12 09:12 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1