Russia bans import of Starlink equipment

The Russian government has introduced a ban on the import of satellite communication devices, including Starlink terminals, according to a report by The Moscow Times.

The restriction applies to radio-electronic equipment used for transmitting and receiving signals from foreign satellite systems, including dual-use communication satellites, as outlined in a government document cited by the report.

The decision forms part of a broader tightening of control over telecommunications infrastructure in Russia.

Authorities have already expanded restrictions on mobile internet access since May 2025, citing counter-drone measures. According to the monitoring project “Na Svyazi,” shutdowns have affected more than 60 regions.

Internet monitoring group Top10VPN reported widespread disruptions in 2025, estimating that outages affected nearly the entire population, with cumulative downtime reaching over 37,000 hours.

Reports also indicate that mobile operators have begun independently limiting access to global internet services in some cases. Earlier statements attributed to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that citizens should prepare for extended internet restrictions.

Analysts cited by RKS Global predict that Russia could move toward a “whitelist-only” internet model by 2028, allowing access only to approved online services.

By Vugar Khalilov