Russian forces illegally acquire Starlink to match Ukraine's edge
Russian forces are illegally acquiring Starlink terminals to achieve technological parity with Ukraine, writes the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report.
By unlawfully obtaining Starlink terminals, the Russians aim to enhance combat coordination and the effectiveness of their strike reconnaissance, analysts explained.
Russians illegally acquire modern technology
Ukrainian military personnel operating in the Donetsk region told "The Washington Post" that the terminals are increasingly appearing at Russian positions and that the unlawfully acquired technology is helping the opponent solve ongoing problems with combat coordination and communication.
The arrival of the terminals - as the Ukrainians noted - is linked to a decrease in the number of intercepted Russian radio transmissions. Ukrainian soldiers also attribute some recent Russian advances to the use of Starlinks.
"Access to Starlink terminals has given Ukraine a technological edge that allows for more effective coordination of combat operations and the implementation of new reconnaissance solutions. Russian forces are likely attempting to counteract this advantage by increasing their own use of the terminals," ISW summarised.
Starlink satellites aid Ukraine
The Starlink satellite network system belongs to Elon Musk's company, SpaceX,
Starlink terminals help Ukrainian soldiers operate drones, receive vital intelligence information, and communicate with each other in areas where other secure networks are unavailable.
The compact systems, which combine a small antenna with a 36-centimetre terminal, also provide internet access to Ukrainian non-governmental organisations, civilians, and support infrastructure across the country.
