Ukrainian Forces Use Starlink Satellite Systems in War with Russia
CNN
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Ukrainian forces in the war with Russia are relying on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite systems, according to the country’s spy chief. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Ukrainian Intelligence Directorate, confirmed that Starlink systems are being used on all front lines, playing a significant role in communications, drone transmissions, and remote command posts.
Positive Impact in the War
At the annual Yalta European Strategy meeting, Budanov spoke about the positive difference that Starlink is making in the war. He emphasized the crucial role that the satellite systems play in various aspects of military operations.
Starlink Coverage in Russian-Occupied Crimea
Budanov mentioned that Starlink coverage did not work for a certain period of time near Crimea. He confirmed that there was no coverage in the area, limiting the use of the satellite systems.
The revelation about Starlink’s use in the war comes from a biography of Elon Musk written by Walter Isaacson. The book reveals that Musk ordered his engineers to turn off Starlink’s satellite communications network near the Crimean coast to disrupt a potential Ukrainian attack on the Russian naval fleet.
As Ukrainian submarine drones approached the Russian fleet, they lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly. This decision by Musk was driven by his fear of a nuclear response from Russia in case of a Ukrainian attack on Crimea.
Musk responded to the book excerpt, stating that the Starlink service was never active over Crimea. However, he acknowledged that the Ukrainian government made an emergency request to activate Starlink in Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea, with the intent to sink most of the Russian fleet at anchor.
Musk declined the request, as it would have made SpaceX complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.
Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-10 07:07:00
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