The Pentagon states that it has prevented the Russian military from using unauthorised Starlink internet terminals, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, on the battlefield in the war with Ukraine.
Source: John Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Space Policy, in an interview with Bloomberg, European Pravda reports
Details: Plumb said the US has been "heavily involved in working with the government of Ukraine and SpaceX to counter Russian illicit use of Starlink terminals".
Quote: "At this time we have successfully countered Russian use, but I am certain Russia will continue to try and find ways to exploit Starlink and other commercial communications systems," he added.
The Pentagon official declined to specify what tactics, methods or procedures are being used to stop Russia from using Starlink terminals. He did, however, assure that these were "good solutions" found together with Starlink and Ukraine.
In February, the Ukrainian military noticed that the Russians had begun using Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink terminals at their positions. Later, this information was confirmed by Ukrainian military intelligence, which stated that Russia was buying terminals in Arab countries.
As a result, Democrats in the US House of Representatives launched an investigation into SpaceX.
Previously, in September 2023, the US Senate Armed Services Committee began studying national security issues caused by Elon Musk's decision to block his private Starlink satellite network near occupied Crimea.
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Argented on May 9th, 2024 at 22:34 UTC »
I suppose SpaceX would have the exact location of the unit using the internet and the Pentagon would have the best information on where Russian troops are located. Put those 2 maps together and you got the people skirting the sanctions.
This was 'unauthorized terminals' they targeted. They didn't just shut down the accounts, they shut down the terminals access to the internet. Likely blocked it's SpaceX version of mac address.
feeq1 on May 9th, 2024 at 22:03 UTC »
The Star Wars have begun!
hukep on May 9th, 2024 at 21:48 UTC »
That took long enough.