Social:Starlink in the Russo-Ukrainian War

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Short description: Co-operation between Ukraine and Starlink
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir with delivered Starlink terminals during the Battle of Kyiv on March 15, 2022.[1]

In February 2022, two days after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine requested American aerospace company SpaceX to activate their Starlink satellite internet service in the country to replace internet and communication networks degraded or destroyed during the war.[2][3][4] Starlink has since been used by Ukrainian civilians, government and military.[3][5] The satellite service has served for humanitarian purposes, as well as defense and attacks on Russian positions.[6]

SpaceX provided and funded Starlink services to Ukraine largely on their own in the beginning.[7][8][9] (As of June 2023) Starlink expenses for Ukraine are covered by the US Department of Defense through a contract with SpaceX.[10] SpaceX executives have declined to extend Starlink availability at the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine like Crimea.[11][6] This stance was criticized by Ukraine as it prevented them from carrying out military operations in those areas.[12][13][14]

In Russia, the use of Starlink to attack Russian targets has been criticized by government officials, while the country's military has repeatedly tried to disrupt Starlink services in Ukraine.[15][10] Through his company SpaceX and division Starlink, Elon Musk's involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War has been significant, and met with concerns.[16]

Background

Starlink is a branch of American aerospace company SpaceX. They operate a large satellite Internet constellation in low-earth orbit consisting of thousands of satellites.[17] Starlink satellites have been launched regularly since 2019.[18]

In February 2022, in the early days of the Russian invasion and amidst the Battle of Kyiv, Russia was conducting conventional offensives and cyberattacks against Ukraine's communication infrastructure.[16] On February 24, an hour before the Russian invasion, cyberattacks outed the satellite Internet company Viasat that provided communications to Ukraine.[19] In order to defend themselves and to maintain Internet connectivity during the war, Ukrainian officials deemed Starlink a potential solution.[16] Unlike conventional satellite internet like Viasat, Starlink internet access works in a network fragmented into individual parts.[19][20]

Because Starlink uses the narrow beam of the Ku and Ka bands, the Starlink antennas are physically small.[21] Any signal that intends to jam Starlink needs a precise aim into the antenna.[21] This requires the attacker to get close to Ukrainian troops, in visual range of the terminals.[21] The data carried over the network is also encrypted, with software in the terminal programmed to block off signals without the encryption.[21] If the Starlink antenna steers itself towards another Starlink satellite in view, it could point away from the jamming source.[21] These properties prevent Starlink from being taken out by a single Russian attack.[20][19]

On February 26, the Ukrainian government and Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked Elon Musk on Twitter to provide Starlink assistance to Ukraine.[22][23] Musk agreed, and SpaceX responded by activating country-wide service, with the first shipment of Starlink terminals arriving two days later on February 28.[22]

Those Ukrainians involved in bringing Starlink to their country "originally overlooked the significance of [Elon Musk's] personal control" over vital communications.[16] SpaceX had been negotiating with Ukraine for the launch of Starlink a month and a half before the invasion, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said.[24] According to her, SpaceX was waiting for an official letter with permission.[24]

Civilian use

Starlink providing Internet to residents of Kupiansk after the battle that ended in September 2022. There were still no communications, power and water supply in the city.[25]

Starlink activated their service in Ukraine in February 2022 two days after it was requested to do so[26] waiving the usual monthly subscription fee for the country.[27][28] Starlink kits delivered to Ukraine included the outdoor-mounted circular or rectangular satellite dish.[29] Detailed Starlink guides were shared online for Ukrainians after its arrival.[23] Ukrainian regulators allowed Starlink to be used by anyone, including ordinary citizens and businesses.[23]

Civilians have no reason to use Starlink other than in emergency and damaged regions with no good internet coverage, because Starlink is expensive by Ukrainian standards.[23] Despite this, Ukrainian officials have declared in 2023 that Starlink was now the core of their communication infrastructure.[30]

Ukrainian civilians have relied on Starlink to contact the outside world.[31] Starlink's personal connectivity hotspot has been said useful for journalists, resistance groups and the elected government.[3] Civilians in war-torn areas could gather in "points of invincibility", where they had access to internet provided by Starlink terminals, among a set of basic amenities such as water, electricity, heating and light.[32] Starlink dishes and associated terminals can also be rigged to run off a car battery in areas without electricity.[6]

By April 2022, Starlink was officially registered and the Ukrainian government relied on it for various communication needs.[23][6] Starlink was used to transmit the President Zelenskyy's broadcast[6] and communication between Ukrainian mobile operators back on,[23] with telecom companies also receiving Starlink terminals for emergency connection.[29] Ukrainian officials noted people would have had to wait several months for Internet to be restored otherwise.[23]

Starlink has been used to run parts of Ukrainian society like schools, hospitals[20] (the which received 600 terminals in a month from SpaceX[23]), the trains of Ukrainian Railways,[33] operation of critical energy and telecommunications facilities, support of the sowing season, planning evacuations and return of de-occupied territories to life.[34][29] Most towns on Ukrainian front lines had at least one or two Starlink terminals in October 2022, on which civilians could connect to like a public Wi-Fi network.[35] 150,000 people were using the system every day in May 2022.[6] Minister Fedorov remarked in 2023 that Starlink had saved lives by keeping the energy infrastructure running for doctors performing surgeries.[13]

By June, Starlink had helped restore mobile communication in the Kyiv Oblast[33] and had been used to report on the worsening conditions inside the city in the siege of Mariupol.[36][37] At the time, Starlink was still the only means of secure civilian and military communications in cities like Lysychansk and Severodonetsk which had not had phone coverage since April.[29] There, civilians could connect with their families while soldiers could FaceTime their spouses from their base under-attack, using the service.[29] Later in November 2022 during the liberation of Kherson, Starlink also allowed phone and internet service to resume within a few days.[6]

Military use

Starlink was first requested during the Battle of Kyiv in early 2022.[38] Starlink is free for the Ukrainian military,[35] and since its activation, Starlink been used to carry out military operations in Ukraine and is still in use on all front lines as of late 2023.[34][39] Starlink has been seen in use at numerous Ukrainian bases and been called "the essential backbone of communication" on Ukrainian battlefields.[40][16] Most Ukrainian units have one Starlink terminal, which is sometimes camouflaged with cardboard or trash to avoid being spotted by Russian drones.[41][42] In 2022, there was no official US legislative mechanism to authorize or restrain a military use of Starlink.[43]

In March 2022, SpaceX director of Starlink operations reported that Starlink kits allowed Ukraine Armed Forces to continue operating theater command centers.[44] These kits were vital and needed, as Russia focused on attacking Ukrainian comms infrastructure. The same month, the company provided voice connections for a Ukrainian special operations brigade. Starlink was also used to connect the Ukrainian military to the US Joint Special Operations Command.[44] The same month, two helicopters of Operation Air Corridor carried Ukrainian Special Forces fighters, weaponry and the first Starlink terminal behind enemies lines to besieged Mariupol.[37][36]

Around that time, the Ukrainian military began to use Starlink to help connect and fly drones to attack Russian forces.[45] Starlink was also used to send back video to correct artillery fire.[40] Starlink enabled mobile networks with encrypted group chats connecting Ukrainian commanders to their soldiers on the battlefield.[6] The soldiers upload real-time images of potential targets while the commanders decide where to strike.[6] Soldiers have been seen retrieving Starlink terminals from damaged areas after missile attacks.[42] Drone-reconnaissance unit commanders drove with a Starlink terminal attached on the roof of their car.[46] Ukrainian drone operators adapted strike drones in order to strap a Starlink terminal on them, coming up with new "life hacks" when the setup no longer worked.[46] They suspected this use of the terminals could arise concerns from SpaceX.[46]

Support Forces of Ukraine soldier installing a Starlink terminal.

In April and May 2022, Starlink had key telecommunications role in the Siege of Azovstal, helping Ukrainian defenders to resist Russian troops in Mariupol.[37] Thousands of Ukrainian troops cut off in Mariupol were able to use Starlink to send and publish online photos and videos to the outside world, before they had to surrender in May.[29] In May 2022, a Starlink-enabled Ukrainian Internet app was the key component of a successful new artillery fire coordination system.[47] By June 2022, Starlink was used in various ways, such as enabling the connection between Ukrainian army commanders and spotters on the roof of buildings miles away.[29] The password for Starlink terminal were written on infrastructure for easy access.[29]

In October 2022, Starlink services had to be requested by Ukrainian forces as new areas were liberated.[40] Ukrainian soldiers have reportedly praised Starlink, for reasons such as preventing their army from collapsing in disarray or the war from being lost.[6][29]

Funding

Ukraine incurred minimal expenses for Starlink, as SpaceX, the Pentagon and other countries and entities contributed to covering the costs.[40] The satellite service was free for the Ukrainian military.[35] The more expensive part of the costs is not the terminals but the ongoing connectivity.[40] The terminals themselves cost $1500 and $2500 for the two models sent to Ukraine, more expensive than the consumer models on Starlink's website.[40] Meanwhile, service in Ukraine is just $60 per month, cheaper than the usual monthly price above $90.[48][49]

International support

Early US support for Starlink came via the USAID which spent roughly $3 million on hardware and services in Ukraine, later than March 2022 according to Shotwell.[50][40][51] The largest single contributor of terminals is Poland with payment for almost 9,000 individual terminals.[52][50] Other contributors include the UK, France, Germany, Czechia, NGOs and crowdfunding.[52][50][40][53] Some volunteers and foreign companies independently purchased Starlink equipment for Ukraine.[23]

By 6 April 2022, SpaceX had sent 5000 Starlink terminals. 3667 or 73% of those were donated by SpaceX, which also removed the monthly service fees, while USAID had purchased the balance of the terminals.[54][7] By mid August 2022, Ukraine internet service was being provided by more than 20,000 Starlink terminals.[40] 85% of the 20,000 terminals in Ukraine were paid (sometimes partially) for by countries like the US or Poland, or other entities.[40][52][50] Those entities also paid for about 30% of the Internet connectivity, which SpaceX says $4500 each month per unit for the most advanced service.[40] At the time, the US had provided almost 1,700 terminals.[40] The same month, Musk tweeted the operation had cost SpaceX $80 million and would exceed $100 million by the end of year.[40]

By December 2022, Ukraine had secured additional funding for Starlink from several European countries, and a Ukrainian official stated that "all financial issues have been resolved."[9] In early 2023, SpaceX made a deal with the US and European governments to pay for another 100,000 new satellite dishes to Ukraine.[40] In February 2023, Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Fedorov called Musk "one of the biggest private donors of [Ukraine's] future victory," estimating SpaceX's contributions at the time as over $100 million.[13][53]

Pentagon contracts

In July 2022, Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi directly requested to Elon Musk 6,200 more Starlink terminals for the Ukrainian military and intelligence services and 500 per month going forward to offset the losses.[40] SpaceX responded by asking Zaluzhniy to ask the Department of Defense.[40] An outside consultant for SpaceX said the company "faced difficult decisions" and did not think SpaceX had the financial ability to provide any additional terminals or service requested by the Ukrainian General.[40]

In September 2022, SpaceX wrote in a letter to the Pentagon "We are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine, or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time", asking the Pentagon to take over financing.[55][56] These costs totaled to $124 million for the remainder of 2022, and would reach almost $380 million for a full year according to the senior defense official.[40] At the time, some senior defense officials at the Pentagon were worried Musk could turn off Starlink in Ukraine, which would have impacted the Ukrainians.[16]

By October 2022, SpaceX said it had paid for about 70% of the service provided to Ukraine and claims to have offered that highest level – $4,500 a month – to all terminals in Ukraine, despite the majority only having signed on for the cheaper $500 per month service.[40] Which CNN noted represented 1.3% of the service rate SpaceX said it needed the Pentagon to start paying.[40] This was interpreted by CNN as an attempt by SpaceX to obtain government funding, or a disinterest in the war.[40]

On October 14, 2022, Musk warned the service was costing Starlink $20 million per month and stated it could not go on indefinitely.[8][57][58] At that time, Shotwell had already begun discussions with the Pentagon to fund Starlink for Ukraine, independently from Elon Musk.[59][60][61]

During the discussions between the Pentagon and SpaceX in October 2022, the Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary was asked about the invocation of the Defense Production Act against Starlink in Ukraine.[61] This law allows the government to give orders to private companies for national defense, and take action to restrict hoarding of needed supplies.[62] The Defense secretary answered that she was not aware of this law being looked into being invoked for Starlink or any SATCOM capability.[61]

The Pentagon deal was then leaked in the press, while Musk was sharing a controversial Ukraine peace plan.[63] The situation garnered negative reactions in the medias, and a Ukrainian ambassador publicly told him to "fuck off".[63] Musk then reconsidered the deal and tweeted on October 15 that SpaceX would continue to fund Starlink service in Ukraine for free.[58] According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Shotwell was livid at Musk's reversal, asserting "The Pentagon had a $145 million check ready to hand to me, literally."[64] Quoted by Isaacson, Shotwell stated "Elon succumbed to the bullshit on Twitter and to the haters at the Pentagon who leaked the story."[64] Musk then added "Even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we’ll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free."[65]

In late 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a separate Starlink service designed for government entities and military agencies.[66][67][68][21] Starshield enables the DoD to own or lease Starshield satellites for partners and allies.[66] Cybernews remarked that Starshield was first announced in late 2022, when the war in Ukraine "revealed Starlink’s importance in modern warfare".[69] While Starlink had not been adapted for military use, Starshield has the usual requirements for mobile military systems like encryptions and anti-jam capabilities.[21] The one-year Starshield contract was awarded on September 1, 2023.[70] The contract is expected to support 54 mission partners across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.[70] Elon Musk stated that "Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not to participate in combat. Starshield will be owned the US government and controlled the US space force". This is the right order of things".[70]

In June 2023, the Department of Defense officialized a contract with Shotwell's SpaceX to buy Starlink satellite services for Ukraine.[10] The deal includes the Pentagon buying 400-500 Starlink terminals for Ukraine, giving the Pentagon control of where Starlink works inside the country without fear of interruption.[71] The terms of services of the final contract were undisclosed for security issues.[10] Following the contract, The Pentagon stated Starlink was a "vital layer in Ukraine's overall communications network" amidst "a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities they need."[10]

Restrictions

Approximate Starlink coverage of Ukraine as of September 2023, according to the official map on the Starlink website.[72] Areas along the Belarusian and Russian borders, Crimea, and parts of the Donbas are not covered.[72]

SpaceX has continued to restrict the use of Starlink Internet services outside the borders of Ukraine, including in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.[72] It has done so using geofencing, which consists in accurately limiting the availability of the service to only certain areas.[30] SpaceX has also limited Ukraine's ability to use Starlink for military purposes such as drone control.[73]

Ukrainian officials have acknowledged their over-reliance on Starlink but could not find an equivalent in terms of coverage or quality of service.[30] A US Department of Defense official said in 2022 that other entities existed to provide communications on the battlefields in Ukraine as an alternative to Starlink.[61] A contractual arrangement with SpaceX for Starlink in Ukraine, as well as Starshield, a separate military-focused version of Starlink, seem to have been the solutions chosen by the DoD and SpaceX against the restrictions.[16][67][66]

Motives

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has vowed against the use of his company's Starlink for the military.[64] He has openly declared Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars, citing peaceful activities like entertainment or online school instead of drone strikes.[64] Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX and Starlink, largely aligns to this viewpoint.[11]

Starlink legal documents claim it is not for use in weaponry as a military use of Starlink brings it under US export control laws like the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).[74]

On February 8, 2023 Gwynne Shotwell, President of Starlink, announced that the company had taken measures to prevent the use of Starlink service to control combat drones.[75] SpaceX restricted the licensing of Starlink communication technology to exclude direct military use of Starlink on weapon systems, such as the Ukraine use of Starlink antennas on uncrewed surface vehicles.[76] The same month, Elon Musk reiterated on Twitter "We will not enable escalation of conflict that may lead to WW3".[16]

Ukrainians commanders had previously hypothesized that SpaceX could not selectively disable Starlink terminals used for drone strikes, forcing SpaceX to either ignore the issue or to switch off all terminals and start negotiating with the Pentagon for a military contract.[46]

Shotwell has stated that "Ukrainians have leveraged [Starlink] in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement", as the free service was intended for humanitarian and defense purposes such as "providing broadband internet to hospitals, banks and families affected by Russia's invasion".[75][11] Shotwell explained that her company agreed with Ukraine's military using Starlink for communications but never intended to have them use it as a weapon.[11] She added "But then they started putting them on f---ing drones trying to blow up Russian ships. I’m happy to donate services for ambulances and hospitals and mothers [...] But it’s wrong to pay for military drone strikes."[20]

Shotwell's statement drew criticism from supporters and politicians of Ukraine such as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mykhailo Podolyak.[13] A Ukrainian military official called her statement "strange" given that the country's use of Starlink as a combat tool is well-established.[13] Podolyak commented that companies had to decide if they were "on the side of the right to freedom" or "on the Russian Federation's side and its 'right' to kill and seize territories".[12][73]

October 2022 outages

The first communications black-outs caused by the restrictions happened in October 2022 when Ukrainian soldiers moved into Russian-contested areas in Southern Ukraine.[20][16] Ukrainian forces reported major Starlink outages across the front line, due to restrictions by SpaceX, resulting in "catastrophic" losses of communication.[77] Starlink did not work very close or beyond the frontline into Russian-controlled territories, as well as in very recently regained areas whose liberation had not yet been made public.[77][16][78]

Ukrainian and American officials said this caused units to become isolated, commanders risking themselves to get in radio range of the front lines, higher operational costs and loss of lives.[16][20] Several Ukrainian officials criticizing Starlink, speaking of widespread connection failures.[77] The loss of communications prevented the Ukrainian military to defend themselves and coordinate their attacks in those areas, and had to retreat as a result.[16][20] Outages were acute in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and occurred also in Kharkiv and the Donbas.[77] Starlink still functioned in newly liberated territory east of Izyum, in the southern Kherson region[77] and for drone-reconnaissance around Bakhmut.[46] Ukrainian forces suspected the connection failures were due to SpaceX trying to curb the use of Starlink terminals on strike drones, or changes in the way the Starlink geofencing worked.[46][53]

Naval News wrote that SpaceX restrictions of direct military use of Starlink could potentially shift the balance of power in the naval war in the Black Sea.[76] Senior defense officials at the Pentagon tried to solve the problem in several meetings but were not used to not having leverage on a private entity.[16] The Pentagon sought a contractual arrangement with SpaceX that would prevent the company from being able to cease Starlink services in Ukraine on their own.[16] (see above: §Pentagon contracts)

In February 2023, Fedorov reported "no problems with the operation of Starlink uplink terminals in Ukraine."[53] A ministry official familiar with the situation said cities near the war's front lines found no indications of trouble with Starlink coverage.[13]

Crimean Starlink coverage request denial incident

Incident

In September 2022, a Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) with a Starlink terminal attached to its stern washed up in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.[6][79] The naval drone has been assumed to be for reconnaissance, but may have also appeared to carry munitions and act as a bomb.[79] Several experts noted that the sensors on the front of the naval drone could be used as a laser range finder to help in targeting.[79]

In September 2022, Ukrainian drone boats strapped with explosives were attempting a sneak attack the Russian fleet in Sevastopol using Starlink to guide them to target.[40][14][80] This was the first time Ukraine attempted such an attack.[81] Ukraine requested Musk to enable Starlink up to Crimea.[82][14] Musk declined the request but did not disable any existing coverage.[82] The Atlantic said that some drone boats lost connectivity and washed ashore without exploding.[83] Brigadier General of the Secret Service of Ukraine stated that most of the drones then sank in the sea or self-destructed on the way to the bay.[84] The Ukrainian team tried to return the vessels back to the base,[81] but only two drone [boats] returned to the Ukrainian base undamaged.[81][83] Members of the team said the two vessels that came back provided invaluable information on communication, navigation, hull.[81]

One of the participant of the operation recalls "We were 70 kilometres away from the Admiral Makarov frigate. Everyone was on edge, as we were going to attack it. And then, our communication was cut off. Elon Musk switched off Starlink, which we used to control the vessels."[81] According to another participant in a bunker, "Fedorov tried to persuade him, but Musk did not listen. Our people also tried to resolve the situation through their channels, but the Americans said that it was a private company, and they couldn't put pressure on it."[81] Ukrainian presidential adviser Podolyak responded that civilians and children were being killed as a result, adding that this was "the price of a cocktail of ignorance and big ego".[30]

A military laboratory of the Ukrainian Security Service and Navy studied and took everything into account,[81] and a month later in late October 2022, seven similar black naval drones were used to mount a successful drone attack on the Sevastopol Naval base in Crimea, where the Russian Black Sea fleet is stationed.[6][85]

2023 reactions over Musk's decision

A year later in September 2023, Walter Isaacson described in his Elon Musk biography that the latter had "secretly" told his engineers to turn off Starlink coverage within 100 kilometers of the Crimean coast, however this claim was later retracted by Isaacson as a mistake.[82][86] The biography claim prompted several allegations against Musk for deliberately disrupting the operation.[84]

In September 2023, following Musk's decision not to extend Starlink coverage to Crimea, the Senate Armed Services Committee probed the situation as a national security matter, raising concerns over Musk's influence over the war as a private citizen.[87] The Senate Committee on Armed Services launched an investigation on Starlink operations in Ukraine, citing "serious national liability issues" that have been exposed, and with the goal to ensure that US national security interests are protected.[88] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said letting billionaires taking decisions for national partners and allies was "unacceptable" and he was going to dig into it.[89]

Senator Elizabeth Warren called for an investigation on Elon Musk and Starlink in Ukraine.[90] Following comments Musk made about Taiwan, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted "Hope Elon Musk can also ask the CCP to open X to its people. Perhaps he thinks banning it is a good policy, like turning off Starlink to thwart Ukraine's counterstrike against Russia."[91][92] Russian President Vladimir Putin – whom Musk claimed to have personally spoken to, then later denied this[93][94] – and other Russian officials showed appreciation for Musk following the Western media backlash over his denial of Ukraine's request to enable Starlink in Crimea for drone attacks on the Sevastopol Naval base.[95][86]

The Washington Post, which had published Isaacson's opinion piece, corrected that "after the publication of this adaptation, the author learned that his book mischaracterized the attempted attack by Ukrainian drones on the Russian fleet in Crimea. Musk had already disabled ("geofenced") coverage within 100 km of the Crimean coast before the attack began, and when the Ukrainians discovered this, they asked him to activate the coverage, and he refused."[96] The Guardian and CNN also added a footnote to correct the claim.[97][98]

Isaacson corrected his claim and clarified that Elon Musk said that the policy to not allow Starlink to be used for an attack on Crimea had been implemented earlier than the night of the Ukrainian attack, while Ukrainians did not know about it.[82][99] Ukrainian general Kyrylo Budanov declared being "not sure that Elon Musk operated some mythical buttons and stopped the movement of some devices. This is my personal opinion. The fact that the Starlink systems did not work for a certain time near the Crimea, I can absolutely confirm, because we also used a certain technique. We immediately realized that there is simply no coverage there".[100][101]

Elon Musk said Ukraine's intent was to sink most of the Russian fleet.[102] According to him, US Sanctions on Russia prevented Starlink from being turned on near Crimea without approval from the Biden administration such as a permission from the US President.[103][104] Musk said that the sanctions include Crimea, and that [SpaceX] is not allowed to turn on the connection to a sanctioned country without explicit government approval.[84] Musk added that if he had agreed to the Ukrainians' request without US government approval, SpaceX would be in a "major act of war and conflict escalation".[40][105] He also compared a successful hypothetical Ukrainian sinking of the Russian fleet to a "mini-Pearl Harbor".[102] The Atlantic noted that a week later another Ukrainian attack using a different communications system did hit their targets in the port of Sevastopol, causing deterrence from the Russian Navy without escalation.[83]

Musk had talked with Russian ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov, who warned him an attack on Crimea would be met with a nuclear response.[83] To address concerns from DC, Musk explained in a call with Biden's security adviser and the same US Russian ambassador, that he did not wish Starlink to be used offensively.[106] Musk told Pentagon officials that he spoke with Vladimir Putin.[93] Anne Applebaum wrote in The Atlantic that Musk's influence had been played by Russian disinformation, the latter having already been used in the Invasion of Ukraine as part of Russia's information war.[83][107]

Russian response

The intervention of Starlink in the Ukrainian War against Russian forces has put the satellite service at risk of not being allowed in the Russian market in the future.[29] The Russian military does not have access to a Starlink-like equivalent, giving the Ukrainian military an advantage.[35] Russia has warned that Western commercial satellites used to help Ukraine could become a legitimate target for a retaliatory strike, describing such use of these satellites as "provocative".[108][109]

Russia has tried to cut off and jam internet services in Ukraine, including attempts to block Starlink in the region.[10] Russian cyberattacks against Starlink appear to have been ineffective compared to other satellite services.[6][109] Reasons advanced include SpaceX's speed of response and Starlink engineers' ability to defeat Russian jamming.[6] The director for electronic warfare at the US Secretary of Defense described the speed of the software response he witnessed to one attack as "eye-watering".[110] One document from the 2022–2023 Pentagon document leaks details how Russia has attempted to disrupt Starlink systems provided by SpaceX to Ukraine.[111]

In October 2022, amidst Ukrainian counteroffensives in the Battle of Donbas, Russian forces reportedly disrupted a Ukrainian Starlink system in the Soledar-Bakhmut area after they destroyed a shortwave repeater.[112] The same month, Starlink terminals were subject to Russian cyberattacks which were quickly prevented by hardening the service's software.[21][10] In early May 2022, the Russian head of Roscosmos and politician Dmitry Rogozin said Elon Musk will be held responsible "as an adult" for having provided the Armed Forces of Ukraine with Starlink satellites.[15][29]

On 18 January 2023, the Russian group "Co-ordinational Centre for the assistance of Novorossiya" posted photos of a captured Ukrainian reconnaissance drone.[113] Upon disassembly, the group stated that a Starlink antenna was found attached to the device, along with a Raspberry Pi computer and a CubePilot module. With an integrated Starlink dish, the drone would have had internet access anywhere it could see open sky. That would allow it to be controlled from anywhere in the world with a satellite connection.[114][115]

In August 2023, during Ukraine's counteroffensive, a Five Eyes report found that Russian hackers planted malwares designed to steal data to Starlink from the Android tablets of Ukrainian soldiers.[116] Ukrainian Security Services said to have blocked some of the hacking attempts and conceded Russians had captured tablets on the battlefield and planted malwares on them.[116]

General reactions over Elon Musk

The involvement of Elon Musk (founder of SpaceX and Starlink) in the Russo-Ukrainian War has been met with concerns.[16] In late August 2023, Ronan Farrow remarked that "There was little precedent for a civilian becoming the arbiter of a war between nations while the government has no level of control over his decisions".[20][16] His influence has been described as "more like [that of] a nation state than an individual".[20] A Pentagon insider commented in 2022 that "Elon Musk hasn't been elected, no one decided to give him that power. He has it because of the technology and company he built".[40]

Supplies

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
  • The first shipment of Starlink terminals arrived on February 28, 2022, during the Battle of Kyiv.[117]
  • 2,000 terminals were sent via Poland in the early days of the war. With 6,000 more terminals and dishes shipped a few days after.[citation needed]
  • By 6 April 2022, SpaceX had sent over 5000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine to allow Ukrainians access to the Starlink network.[118]
  • By June 2022, Musk said over 15,000 Starlink terminals had been sent to Ukraine.[119] The same month, Ukraine received a new batch of antennae for Ukrainian intelligence units.[120]
  • In July 2022, European countries had sent Starlink terminals to Ukraine from their own supplies.[121]
  • By mid August 2022, Ukraine internet service was being provided by more than 20,000 Starlink terminals.[40]
  • In December 2022, SpaceX had sent 22,000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine since the war began.[21]
  • In February 2023, 10,000 Starlink terminals provided by the German government arrived in Ukraine.[13][53]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kitsoft. "Віталій Кличко: Пристрої глобальної супутникової системи Starlink уже в Києві" (in uk). https://kyivcity.gov.ua/news/vitaliy_klichko_pristro_globalno_suputnikovo_sistemi_Starlink_uzhe_v_kiyevi/. 
  2. ↑ Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starlink satellites active over Ukraine after request from embattled country's leaders , The Independent (26 February 2022)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Elon Musk's Starlink arrives in Ukraine but what next?" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2022-03-01. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60561162. 
  4. ↑ @FedorovMykhailo. "@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.". https://twitter.com/FedorovMykhailo/status/1497543633293266944.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  5. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (2023-02-09). "Fury in Ukraine as Elon Musk's SpaceX limits Starlink use for drones" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 "How Elon Musk's satellites have saved Ukraine and changed warfare". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/05/how-elon-musks-satellites-have-saved-ukraine-and-changed-warfare. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "SpaceX, USAID deliver 5,000 satellite internet terminals to Ukraine" (in en). Reuters. 2022-04-06. https://www.reuters.com/technology/spacex-usaid-deliver-5000-satellite-internet-terminals-ukraine-2022-04-06/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Luxmoore, Matthew (14 October 2022). "Elon Musk said the cost of maintaining Starlink terminals in Ukraine is approaching $20 million a month and SpaceX can't fund the service indefinitely" (in en). The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-says-spacex-cant-fund-ukraine-starlink-service-indefinitely-11665758917. "Elon Musk said the cost of maintaining Starlink terminals in Ukraine is approaching $20 million a month and SpaceX can't fund the service indefinitely [...] President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to question Mr. Musk's allegiances" 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Brodkin, Jon (2022-12-20). "Ukraine to get 10,000 more Starlink antennas; funding problems are "resolved"". https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/12/starlink-will-send-another-10000-satellite-terminals-to-ukraine/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Stone, Mike; Roulette, Joey (2023-06-01). "SpaceX's Starlink wins Pentagon contract for satellite services to Ukraine" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagon-buys-starlink-ukraine-statement-2023-06-01/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Roulette, Joey (2023-02-09). "SpaceX curbed Ukraine's use of Starlink internet for drones -company president" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spacex-curbed-ukraines-use-starlink-internet-drones-company-president-2023-02-09/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sabbagh, Dan (February 9, 2023). "Fury in Ukraine as Elon Musk's SpaceX limits Starlink use for drones". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Bajak, Frank (2023-02-09). "Musk deputy's words on Starlink 'weaponization' vex Ukraine" (in en). https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-elon-musk-spacex-technology-business-c79c81ff4e6a09f4a185e627dad858fa. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Borger, Julian (2023-09-07). "Elon Musk ordered Starlink to be turned off during Ukraine offensive, book says" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/07/elon-musk-ordered-starlink-turned-off-ukraine-offensive-biography. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Ілон Маск відреагував на погрози Рогозіна нібито через постачання Starlink українській армії" (in uk). 2022-05-09. https://tech.liga.net/ua/other/novosti/ilon-mask-otreagiroval-na-ugrozy-rogozina-yakoby-iz-za-postavok-starlink-ukrainskoy-armii. 
  16. ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 Farrow, Ronan (2023-08-21). "Elon Musk’s Shadow Rule" (in en-US). The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/08/28/elon-musks-shadow-rule. 
  17. ↑ Grush, Loren (15 February 2018). "SpaceX is about to launch two of its space Internet satellites – the first of nearly 12,000". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/15/17016208/spacex-falcon-9-launch-starlink-microsat-2a-2b-paz-watch-live. 
  18. ↑ "Starlink Press Kit". 15 May 2019. https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/starlink_press_kit.pdf. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Sheetz, Michael (2022-02-28). "Viasat believes 'cyber event' is disrupting its satellite-internet service in Ukraine" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/28/ukraine-updates-viasat-says-cyber-event-disrupting-satellite-internet-service.html. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 Mosley, Tonya (August 23, 2023). "Ronan Farrow says Elon Musk has become an 'arbiter' of the war in Ukraine". https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/1195463008/ronan-farrow-says-elon-musk-has-become-an-arbiter-of-the-war-in-ukraine. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 Team, ESD Editorial (2023-05-30). "Ukraine’s Favourite Dish" (in en-US). https://euro-sd.com/2023/05/articles/30035/ukraines-favourite-dish/. 
  22. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 "Starlink в Україні: кому доступний інтернет від SpaceX та як ним користуватися". 2022-04-29. https://www.the-village.com.ua/village/city/how-it-works-city/325497-gid-po-starlink. 
  23. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Foust, Jeff (2022-03-08). "SpaceX worked for weeks to begin Starlink service in Ukraine" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/spacex-worked-for-weeks-to-begin-starlink-service-in-ukraine/. 
  24. ↑ "Як живе звільнений від окупантів Куп'янськ: фоторепортаж" (in uk). https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/k-zhive-zvilneniy-vid-okupantiv-kup-yansk-1665298505.html. 
  25. ↑ @elonmusk. "Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.". https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1497701484003213317.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  26. ↑ Jin, Hyunjoo (2022-02-27). "Musk says Starlink active in Ukraine as Russian invasion disrupts internet" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-says-starlink-active-ukraine-russian-invasion-disrupts-internet-2022-02-27/. 
  27. ↑ Antoniuk, Daryna (3 September 2022). "How Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet keeps Ukraine online". Kyiv Independent. https://kyivindependent.com/tech/how-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-keeps-ukraine-online. 
  28. ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 Trofimov, Yaroslav; Maidenberg, Micah; FitzGerald, Drew (2022-07-16). "Ukraine Leans on Elon Musk’s Starlink in Fight Against Russia" (in en-US). Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-leans-on-elon-musks-starlink-in-fight-against-russia-11657963804. 
  29. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Kim, Victoria (2023-09-08). "Elon Musk Acknowledges Withholding Satellite Service to Thwart Ukrainian Attack" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/world/europe/elon-musk-starlink-ukraine.html. 
  30. ↑ "How Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet keeps Ukraine online" (in en). 2022-09-03. https://kyivindependent.com/how-elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-keeps-ukraine-online/. 
  31. ↑ "На Тернопільщині другий день працюють "Пункти Незламності"". 2022-11-24. https://oda.te.gov.ua/news/na-ternopilshchini-drugij-den-pracyuyut-punkti-nezlamnosti. 
  32. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Втратити вежі й мільярди, отримати Starlink: як мобільні оператори повертають зв'язок" (in uk). 2022-05-16. https://biz.liga.net/ua/ekonomika/telekom/interview/poteryat-bashni-i-milliardy-poluchit-starlink-kak-mobilnye-operatory-vozvraschayut-svyaz. 
  33. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Starlink intends to open representative office in Ukraine – Ukrainian minister" (in en). https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/825427.html. 
  34. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 "Dispatch: How Elon Musk’s Starlink Helps Connect Ukrainians on the Front Lines" (in en). https://www.wsj.com/video/series/on-the-news/dispatch-how-elon-musks-starlink-helps-connect-ukrainians-on-the-front-lines/5DE6AF3B-983A-4517-A98C-F6ABD7C39F2A. 
  35. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Schwirtz, Michael (2022-07-24). "Last Stand at Azovstal: Inside the Siege That Shaped the Ukraine War" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-mariupol-azovstal.html. 
  36. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Landry, Carole (2022-07-25). "Inside the Azovstal Siege" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/25/briefing/russia-ukraine-war-azovstal.html. 
  37. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (2022-02-28). "SpaceX shipment of Starlink satellite-internet dishes arrives in Ukraine, government official says" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/28/ukraine-updates-starlink-satellite-dishes.html. 
  38. ↑ Lyngaas, Josh Pennington,Sean (2023-09-10). "Starlink in use on 'all front lines,' Ukraine spy chief says, but wasn't active 'for time' over Crimea" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/10/europe/ukraine-starlink-not-active-crimea-intl-hnk/index.html. 
  39. ↑ 40.00 40.01 40.02 40.03 40.04 40.05 40.06 40.07 40.08 40.09 40.10 40.11 40.12 40.13 40.14 40.15 40.16 40.17 40.18 40.19 40.20 40.21 40.22 40.23 40.24 Marquardt, Alex (13 October 2022). "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX says it can no longer pay for critical satellite services in Ukraine, asks Pentagon to pick up the tab | CNN Politics". CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/elon-musk-spacex-starlink-ukraine/. 
  40. ↑ "Україна диджиталізувала свої бойові сили на межі можливостей" (in uk). 2023-01-18. https://zhar.org.ua/ukrayina-dydzhytalizuvala-svoyi-bojovi-syly-na-mezhi-mozhlyvostej/. 
  41. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Schechner, Sam; Michaels, Daniel (2023-01-03). "Ukraine Has Digitized Its Fighting Forces on a Shoestring" (in en-US). Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-has-digitized-its-fighting-forces-on-a-shoestring-11672741405. 
  42. ↑ "What Does Starlink’s Participation in Ukrainian Defense Reveal About U.S. Space Policy?" (in en). https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-does-starlinks-participation-ukrainian-defense-reveal-about-us-space-policy. 
  43. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Хоч Ілон Маск і запевняє, що має благі наміри його позиція то допомагає, то шкодить Україні" (in uk). https://speka.media/comu-ilon-mask-blokuje-signal-starlink-dlya-viiskovix-ta-yaka-iogo-rol-u-viini-p2867p. 
  44. ↑ Parker, Charlie. "Specialist Ukrainian drone unit picks off invading Russian forces as they sleep" (in en). The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/specialist-drone-unit-picks-off-invading-forces-as-they-sleep-zlx3dj7bb. 
  45. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 Luxmoore, Matthew (2023-02-10). "Soldiers in Ukraine Say Some Drones Affected After SpaceX Limits Starlink" (in en-US). Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/soldiers-in-ukraine-say-some-drones-affected-after-spacex-limits-starlink-321a9dd7. 
  46. ↑ "Krieg in der Ukraine: Die Erfolgsgeschichte der ukrainischen Artillerie". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAl29Gl9MA. 
  47. ↑ "How much do Starlink plans cost, and are they worth it?" (in en). 2023-06-14. https://www.androidauthority.com/starlink-plans-cost-3334636/. 
  48. ↑ "Starlink Internet Review 2023: Plans, Pricing, and Speeds" (in en-US). https://www.satelliteinternet.com/providers/starlink/. 
  49. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 "U.S. quietly paying millions to send Starlink terminals to Ukraine, contrary to SpaceX claims". The Washington Post. 8 April 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/08/us-quietly-paying-millions-send-starlink-terminals-ukraine-contrary-spacexs-claims/. 
  50. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (2022-03-22). "Elon Musk's SpaceX sent thousands of Starlink satellite internet dishes to Ukraine, company's president says" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/22/elon-musk-spacex-thousands-of-starlink-satellite-dishes-sent-to-ukraine.html. 
  51. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "Elon Musk: SpaceX Has Spent $80M to Support Ukraine with Starlink". https://www.pcmag.com/news/elon-musk-spacex-has-spent-80m-to-support-ukraine-with-starlink#:~:text=A%20new%20controversy%20facing%20Elon%20Musk%20has%20caused,the%20company%E2%80%99s%20Starlink%20satellite%20internet%20service%20to%20Ukraine. 
  52. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 "Михайло Федоров: Зараз на кіберфронті у війні з Росією перевага на нашому боці" (in uk). https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/mihaylo-fedorov-zaraz-kiberfronti-viyni-rosieyu-1676222698.html. 
  53. ↑ "USAID SAFEGUARDS INTERNET ACCESS IN UKRAINE THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP WITH SPACEX" (in en). US Government. 5 April 2022. https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/apr-5-2022-usaid-safeguards-internet-access-ukraine-through-public-private. "SpaceX donated 3,667 terminals and the internet service itself, and USAID purchased the additional 1,333 terminals" 
  54. ↑ "The Pentagon will pay for SpaceX's Starlink in Ukraine months after Elon Musk complained and asked it to pick up the bill". https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/the-pentagon-will-pay-for-spacexs-starlink-in-ukraine-months-after-elon-musk-complained-and-asked-it-to-pick-up-the-bill/articleshow/100706327.cms. 
  55. ↑ "Musk says SpaceX can no longer fund internet service Ukrainian military uses in war" (in en-us). 2022-10-14. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/musk-says-spacex-can-no-longer-fund-internet-service-ukrainian-military-uses-in-war. 
  56. ↑ Metz, Cade; Vinograd, Cassandra; Cooper, Helene (2022-10-14). "Elon Musk says SpaceX can't fund internet service in Ukraine 'indefinitely,' stirring controversy." (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/14/world/russia-ukraine-war-news#elon-musk-starlink-internet-ukraine. 
  57. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Metz, Cade (2022-10-15). "Elon Musk Drops Threat to Halt Internet Service in Ukraine" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/15/world/russia-ukraine-war-news. 
  58. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2023-02-09). "Shotwell: Ukraine "weaponized" Starlink in war against Russia" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/shotwell-ukraine-weaponized-starlink-in-war-against-russia/. 
  59. ↑ "Pentagon considers funding Musk's Starlink network for Ukraine - Politico" (in en). Reuters. 2022-10-17. https://www.reuters.com/world/pentagon-considers-funding-starlink-ukraine-politico-2022-10-17/. 
  60. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 "Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing" (in en-US). https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3189495/sabrina-singh-deputy-pentagon-press-secretary-holds-a-press-briefing/. 
  61. ↑ "What Is the Defense Production Act?" (in en). https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/what-defense-production-act. 
  62. ↑ 63.0 63.1 Thorbecke, Catherine (2022-10-03). "'F--- off,' ambassador tells Elon Musk after unveiling Ukraine 'peace' plan | CNN Business" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/03/tech/elon-musk-ukraine-russia-tweets/index.html. 
  63. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 64.3 Kay, Grace. "SpaceX president was reportedly upset that Elon Musk kept financing Starlink in Ukraine before Pentagon deal: 'Elon succumbed to the bullshit on Twitter'" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-shotwell-mad-elon-musk-continued-financing-ukraine-starlink-report-2023-9. 
  64. ↑ "Elon Musk says he denied Ukraine satellite request to avoid complicity in "major act of war" vs. Russia - CBS News" (in en-US). 2023-09-08. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-ukraine-russia-war-starlink-satellite-denied-major-act-of-war/. 
  65. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Erwin, Sandra (2023-01-19). "With Starshield, SpaceX readies for battle" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/with-starshield-spacex-readies-for-battle/. 
  66. ↑ 67.0 67.1 "SpaceX - Starshield". https://www.spacex.com/starshield/. 
  67. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (2022-12-05). "SpaceX unveils 'Starshield,' a military variation of Starlink satellites" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/spacex-unveils-starshield-a-military-variation-of-starlink-satellites.html. 
  68. ↑ "SpaceX’s Starshield means Starlink has become a juggernaut". 2023-11-22. https://cybernews.com/tech/starshield-spacex-military-commitment-interview/. 
  69. ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 Porter, Jon (2023-09-28). "SpaceX inks first Space Force deal for government-focused Starshield satellite network" (in en). https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/28/23894239/spacex-starshield-satellite-network-space-force-pentagon-deal. 
  70. ↑ Satariano, Adam; Reinhard, Scott; Metz, Cade; Frenkel, Sheera; Khurana, Malika (2023-07-28). "Elon Musk’s Unmatched Power in the Stars" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/28/business/starlink.html. 
  71. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 "Starlink Coverage Map". https://www.starlink.com/map. 
  72. ↑ 73.0 73.1 "Ukraine war: Elon Musk's SpaceX firm bars Kyiv from using Starlink tech for drone control" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2023-02-09. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64579267. 
  73. ↑ "Starlink Terms of Service". p. 8. Compliance. https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1041-35650-61. 
  74. ↑ 75.0 75.1 A. O. L. Staff. "SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says" (in en-US). https://www.aol.com/news/spacex-limits-starlink-ukraine-company-122954605.html. 
  75. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Sutton, HI (15 February 2023). "Starlink Limits Ukraine's Maritime Drones At Time Of New Russian Threat". Naval News. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/02/starlink-limits-ukraines-maritime-drones-at-time-of-new-russian-threat/. 
  76. ↑ 77.0 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 Srivastava, Mehul; Miller, Christopher; Olearchyk, Roman; Schwartz, Felicia (2022-10-07). "Ukrainian forces report Starlink outages during push against Russia". Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/9a7b922b-2435-4ac7-acdb-0ec9a6dc8397. 
  77. ↑ Srivastava, Mehul; Miller, Christopher; Olearchyk, Roman; Schwartz, Felicia (2022-10-07). "Ukrainian forces report Starlink outages during push against Russia". Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/9a7b922b-2435-4ac7-acdb-0ec9a6dc8397. 
  78. ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 Gault, Matthew (2022-09-26). "Mysterious Sea Drone Surfaces in Crimea" (in en). https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy4q7/mysterious-sea-drone-surfaces-in-crimea. 
  79. ↑ Copp, Tara (2023-09-12). "Elon Musk blocking Starlink to stop Ukraine attack troubling for DoD" (in en). https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2023/09/12/elon-musk-blocking-starlink-to-stop-ukraine-attack-troubling-for-dod/. 
  80. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 81.3 81.4 81.5 81.6 "First surface vessel attack on Crimea failed as Musk turned off connection – UP" (in en). https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/01/1/7435389/. 
  81. ↑ 82.0 82.1 82.2 82.3 Darcy, Oliver (2023-09-12). "An explosive Elon Musk biography is just hitting shelves. But the book's acclaimed author is already walking back a major claim | CNN Business" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/media/walter-isaacson-elon-musk-reliable-sources/index.html. 
  82. ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 83.3 83.4 Applebaum, Anne (2023-09-11). "What Russia Got by Scaring Elon Musk" (in en). https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/elon-musk-let-russia-scare-him/675282/. 
  83. ↑ 84.0 84.1 84.2 "Ukrainska Pravda: Elon Musk shutting off Starlink communications disrupted Ukrainian attack on Russian navy" (in en-US). 2024-01-01. https://news.yahoo.com/ukrainska-pravda-elon-musk-shutting-215732057.html. 
  84. ↑ Ozberk, Tayfun (2023-08-23). "Ukraine's new underwater drone Marichka breaks cover" (in en-US). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/ukraines-new-underwater-drone-marichka-breaks-cover/. 
  85. ↑ 86.0 86.1 Capoot, Ashley (2023-09-09). "Elon Musk biographer moves to 'clarify' details about Ukraine and Starlink after backlash" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/09/elon-musk-biographer-moves-to-clarify-details-on-ukraine-starlink.html. 
  86. ↑ "Musk's Denial of Ukraine's Starlink Request Prompts Senate Probe" (in en). Bloomberg.com. 2023-09-14. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-14/elon-musk-s-denial-of-ukraine-s-starlink-request-prompts-senate-query. 
  87. ↑ Erwin, Sandra (2023-09-14). "Senate Armed Services Committee to probe Starlink operations in Ukraine" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/senate-armed-services-committee-to-probe-starlink-operations-in-ukraine/. 
  88. ↑ "Dem Congressman says he'll "dig into" Musk's role in Ukraine war" (in en). https://www.msnbc.com/weekends-with-alex-witt/watch/rep-crow-that-is-unacceptable-192652357511. 
  89. ↑ Macias, Amanda (2023-09-12). "Elizabeth Warren calls for an investigation into Musk and Starlink in Ukraine after biography claim" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/12/warren-calls-for-investigation-into-elon-musk-and-starlink-in-ukraine.html. 
  90. ↑ Shan, Lee Ying. "Taiwan slams Elon Musk, says it’s 'not for sale' nor part of China". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/14/taiwan-slams-elon-musk-says-its-not-for-sale-nor-part-of-china.html. 
  91. ↑ Davidson, Helen. "Taiwan tells Elon Musk it is 'not for sale' after latest China comments". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/taiwan-elon-musk-china-comments-response-all-in-summit-los-angeles. 
  92. ↑ 93.0 93.1 "Elon Musk spoke with Vladimir Putin directly, Pentagon official says" (in en). 2023-08-22. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/elon-musk-putin-colin-kahl-pentagon-ukraine-starlink-b2397109.html. 
  93. ↑ "Elon Musk denies he spoke to Putin about Ukraine war" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2022-10-12. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63225781. 
  94. ↑ "Putin hails Elon Musk as an 'outstanding person' and businessman" (in en). Reuters. 2023-09-12. https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-hails-elon-musk-an-outstanding-person-businessman-2023-09-12/. 
  95. ↑ "Opinion | ‘How am I in this war?’: The untold story of Elon Musk’s support for Ukraine" (in en). 2023-09-07. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/07/elon-musk-starlink-ukraine-russia-invasion/. 
  96. ↑ Borger, Julian (2023-09-07). "Elon Musk ordered Starlink to be turned off during Ukraine offensive, book says" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/07/elon-musk-ordered-starlink-turned-off-ukraine-offensive-biography. 
  97. ↑ Lyngaas, Sean (2023-09-07). "'How am I in this war?': New Musk biography offers fresh details about the billionaire's Ukraine dilemma | CNN Politics" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/07/politics/elon-musk-biography-walter-isaacson-ukraine-starlink/index.html. 
  98. ↑ Brodkin, Jon (2023-09-07). "Musk refused Ukraine’s request to enable Starlink for drone attack [Updated"] (in en-us). https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/09/how-am-i-in-this-war-book-details-musks-doubts-on-starlink-in-ukraine/. 
  99. ↑ "Буданов прокоментував скандал із відключенням Starlink для ЗСУ" (in uk). 2023-09-10. https://glavcom.ua/country/incidents/budanov-prokomentuvav-skandal-iz-vidkljuchennjam-starlink-dlja-zsu-955439.html. 
  100. ↑ "Буданов прокоментував скандал з Маском та відключенням Starlink" (in uk). https://www.unian.ua/war/budanov-prokomentuvav-skandal-z-maskom-ta-vidklyuchennyam-starlink-12388389.html. 
  101. ↑ 102.0 102.1 "Musk says he refused Kyiv request for Starlink use in attack on Russia" (in en). Reuters. 2023-09-08. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/musk-says-he-refused-kyiv-request-use-starlink-attack-russia-2023-09-08/. 
  102. ↑ "Musk says he didn't turn on Starlink near Crimea due to US sanctions on Russia" (in en). 2023-09-13. https://kyivindependent.com/musk-says-he-didnt-turn-on-starlink-due-to-us-sanctions-on-russia/. 
  103. ↑ Quinn, Allison (2023-09-13). "Musk on Starlink Scandal: Ukraine ‘Not in Charge’ of U.S." (in en). The Daily Beast. https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-on-starlink-scandal-ukraine-is-not-in-charge-of-us. 
  104. ↑ Teh, Cheryl. "Elon Musk says Joe Biden and the US government are the ones to blame for the Crimea Starlink debacle, not him" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-joe-biden-us-government-responsible-for-starlink-debacle-2023-9. 
  105. ↑ Lyngaas, Sean (2023-09-07). "CNN Exclusive: 'How am I in this war?': New Musk biography offers fresh details about the billionaire's Ukraine dilemma | CNN Politics" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/07/politics/elon-musk-biography-walter-isaacson-ukraine-starlink/index.html. 
  106. ↑ Snyder, Timothy (2023-09-17). "Elon Musk likes to think he saved us from Armageddon. He's just brought it closer". https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/17/elon-musk-likes-to-think-he-saved-us-from-armageddon-hes-just-brought-it-closer. 
  107. ↑ "Russia warns West: We can target your commercial satellites" (in en). Reuters. 2022-10-27. https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-says-wests-commercial-satellites-could-be-targets-2022-10-27/. 
  108. ↑ 109.0 109.1 Brown, Tara (August 5, 2022). "Can Starlink satellites be lawfully targeted?". https://lieber.westpoint.edu/can-starlink-satellites-be-lawfully-targeted/. 
  109. ↑ Duffy, Kate. "A top Pentagon official said SpaceX Starlink rapidly fought off a Russian jamming attack in Ukraine" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-pentagon-russian-jamming-attack-elon-musk-dave-tremper-2022-4. 
  110. ↑ Horton, Alex (April 18, 2023). "Russia unveils secretive weapon to target SpaceX's Starlink in Ukraine". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/04/18/discord-leaks-starlink-ukraine/. 
  111. ↑ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, OCTOBER 15". The Institute for the Study of War. 15 October 2022. https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-15. 
  112. ↑ "Ukraine Might Be Modifying Starlink Dishes to Mount On Drones - ExtremeTech". https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/342418-ukraine-might-be-modifying-starlink-dishes-to-mount-on-drones. 
  113. ↑ Peleschuk, Dan (2023-01-27). "Ukraine sets up drone assault units" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-sets-up-drone-assault-units-2023-01-27/. 
  114. ↑ "Ukraine May Be Fitting Starlink Dishes on Drones to Fight Russia" (in en). https://www.pcmag.com/news/ukraine-may-be-fitting-starlink-dishes-on-aerial-drones-to-fight-russia. 
  115. ↑ 116.0 116.1 Lyngaas, Sean (2023-08-31). "Russian military hackers take aim at Ukrainian soldiers' battle plans, US and allies say | CNN Politics" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/31/politics/military-hackers-russia-ukraine/index.html. 
  116. ↑ "В Україні запрацював супутниковий інтернет від Ілона Маска – Starlink. Яка швидкість та чи становить це небезпеку — Forbes.ua" (in uk). 2022-03-02. https://forbes.ua/inside/v-ukraini-zapratsyuvav-suputnikoviy-internet-vid-ilona-maska-starlink-yaka-shvidkist-ta-chi-stanovit-tse-nebezpeku-02032022-4054. 
  117. ↑ "U.S. Sends 5,000 SpaceX Starlink Internet Terminals to Ukraine". Bloomberg News. 6 April 2022. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-06/u-s-sends-5-000-spacex-starlink-internet-terminals-to-ukraine. 
  118. ↑ Duffy, Kate. "Elon Musk says SpaceX has sent 15,000 Starlink internet kits to Ukraine over the past 3 months" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-sent-starlink-satellite-internet-terminals-ukraine-2022-6. 
  119. ↑ Zaxid.net (June 12, 2022). "Ілон Маск передав партію Starlink для українських розвідників" (in uk). https://zaxid.net/ilon_mask_peredav_partiyu_starlink_dlya_ukrayinskih_rozvidnikiv_n1544391. 
  120. ↑ "Elon Musk's Starlink is keeping Ukrainians online when traditional Internet fails" (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/19/elon-musk-ukraine-starlink/. 

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