Steps to stop Russia from using Starlink have worked, says Musk
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says his company has prevented Russia from tapping into Starlink’s network of satellites.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Feb 1 that steps his company has taken to stop the “unauthorised” use of Starlink by Russia seem to have worked.
“Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorised use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done,” Mr Musk said on X.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Jan 28 Ukraine is working with SpaceX to stop Russia from guiding drones
“Western technology must continue to help the democratic world and protect civilians, rather than being used for terrorism and destroying peaceful cities,” Mr Fedorov said on X.
On Feb 1, he thanked Mr Musk, and said “the first steps are already delivering real results”.
“Thank you for standing with us. You are a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people,” said Mr Fedorov.
“Ukraine, together with @Starlink, has already taken the first steps that delivered rapid results in countering Russian drones,” he wrote on X. “The next step is implementing a system that will allow only authorised terminals to operate on the territory of Ukraine.”
In a social media post in February 2024, SpaceX said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia, and “does not do business of any kind with the Russian Government or its military”.
Mr Musk turned on Starlink service over Ukraine in 2022 after Kyiv pleaded for help in the first days following Russia’s full-scale invasion. REUTERS
