Pentagon learned to combat use of Starlink terminals by Russian military

Archive photo: The Pentagon has learned how to combat the illegal use of Starlink terminals by Russian military (Getty Images)

Representatives of the United States and SpaceX have learned how to combat the unauthorized use of Starlink terminals by Russian military, announced John Plumb, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.

“The US has been heavily involved in working with the government of Ukraine and SpaceX to counter Russian illicit use of Starlink terminals,” the official said.

According to him, the United States is successfully countering Russia’s use of terminals. At the same time, he is confident that Russia will continue to seek ways to use Starlink and other commercial communication systems.

“Although it will continue to be a problem, I think we’ve wrapped our heads around it and found good solutions with both Starlink and Ukraine,” he added.

Terminals are being sold in Russia

Plumb did not specify what tactics, methods, or procedures are used to prevent the use of communication terminals by Russia.

Bloomberg reports that Starlink terminals can still be purchased in Russia, for example, on the Ozon platform. Their sellers say that they operate through a subscription registered in the names of residents of European countries where the technology is licensed.

They added that the connection works not in the central part of Russia, but in border areas with Ukraine and in occupied territories.

Issues with Starlink’s performance are already being documented in Russia

This week, many users have complained about unprecedented connectivity problems.

“On the messaging app Telegram one of the sellers recommended transferring onto a more expensive global service plan,” Bloomberg writes.

This week, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren called on the Pentagon to restrict the use of Starlink in Russia. She explained that this poses a serious threat to US national security and its allies.

What preceded

Earlier this year, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that Russian forces were using Starlink satellite communication terminals on the front lines.

Later, Bloomberg reported that Starlink terminals were being sold on black markets worldwide. However, not long ago, Plumb stated that the US Department of Defense could not compel SpaceX to cease servicing Starlink for Russian aggressors on the front lines.