Musk: Russian forces obtained Starlink terminals through smuggling

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Russian forces obtained Starlink terminals through smuggling networks rather than purchasing them directly from his company.

“They received terminals ordered through Ukraine, and then smuggled them to the east of Ukraine. In some cases, they were used to carry out attacks,” Musk said in an interview with The Economist.

He said SpaceX and the Ukrainian government responded by creating a “whitelist” of approved Starlink terminals to prevent unauthorised devices from being used by Russian forces.

Musk acknowledged that the measure also affected some civilian users in Ukraine, who lost connectivity for work or education because their terminals were not included on the approved list.

Reports have indicated that Russian forces began using “grey” Starlink terminals on the front line in 2023 and later integrated some into drones for real-time control and to help bypass Ukrainian air defences.

Musk also said he had long advocated a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine and argued that concessions to Russia were necessary for pragmatic reasons.

“What really irritates me are these sophisticated diplomats who dine on seven-course meals in fancy places while people are dying on the front lines, and who keep insisting that Russia must withdraw its troops. But Russia is not going to withdraw,” Musk said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to Musk’s remarks by saying: “I’d like to take that idea a step further and suggest withdrawing Starlink. So that people don’t die.”

By Sabina Mammadli