Ukrainian frontline troops are currently facing connectivity issues with the crucial Starlink internet service, owned by Elon Musk, which is used to operate Kyiv’s fleet of attack drones.
Despite US sanctions prohibiting its use, there has been an increase in reported Russian use of these devices.
In interviews conducted across the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have reported a decline in connection speeds over the past few months, along with other connection-related problems.
These complaints coincide with a surge in Ukrainian sightings of Russian usage of the satellite internet service, operated by Musk’s SpaceX. Social media posts by Russian individuals claim they have successfully circumvented sanctions on Russian use of these devices by purchasing them in third countries.
The cause of the deteriorating service in Ukraine remains unclear, and Starlink, SpaceX, and Musk have declined to comment on the matter.
However, troops and analysts suggest that there may be more Starlink devices in contested areas than before, which could be impacting connection speeds.
Since the 2022 invasion, the Starlink internet service has provided a significant advantage to Ukraine’s smaller military, allowing them to share real-time drone feeds between units and communicate in areas where combat has disrupted cellphone service.
One communications operator in the Zaporizhzhia area, identified as Misha, reported that the issues began in the past three weeks, with deteriorating connection quality and frequent need for reboots affecting their work.
Adverse weather conditions have been suggested as a possible factor, although similar issues have been reported by units across the front lines.
Another drone operator, a commander from the 65th Mechanised Brigade, stated that their unit's connection speed had halved since January, attributing it to the increased number of units now sharing the same number of Starlink satellites.
Multiple Ukrainian units across the front lines have reported speed problems with Starlink and noted Russian usage, but they declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Ukrainian officials first raised concerns about Russian Starlink use in early February, indicating that they were working with SpaceX and Musk to limit Moscow's front-line access to the devices.
Efforts to restrict Russian Starlink use in occupied areas have led Ukraine to impose new legal conditions on satellite communications, creating a "whitelist" of registered devices authorized for use by Kyiv.
SpaceX has sought advice from the Pentagon on how to satisfy Ukraine's requirements for access to Starlink while denying Russian forces the service in front-line areas.
Despite these measures, there is a concern among Ukrainian officials that Russians may intercept or hack their communications.
The SBU intelligence service claimed last year that Russian military hackers were attempting to steal battlefield communications sent from Ukrainian soldiers' mobile devices to Starlink terminals.
In response to Ukrainian claims of Russian Starlink use, Musk stated that his company did not do business with the Russian government and that the system would not work in Russia.
However, it remains unclear whether the technology might work in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.
In recent months, Russian social media channels have become more open about Starlink purchases. One supplier shared a video showing multiple drones and what appeared to be Starlink terminals being given to Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian units have posted footage of drone strikes against Russian trenches where Starlink terminals were spotted, suggesting Moscow's attempt to replicate Kyiv's success with cheap, single-use attack drones.
Democrats on the US Congressional Oversight Committee have written to Starlink demanding an urgent briefing on Russian use of the devices, expressing grave concern that Moscow is using the terminals in occupied Ukraine, in violation of US sanctions.