At the request of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, SpaceX has begun implementing emergency measures aimed at preventing the use of Starlink terminals by Russian forces for attacks by Shahed kamikaze drones on the territory of Ukraine. The solutions introduced are temporary in nature, but their impact is already noticeable.
This was reported by Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Beskrestnov, call sign "Flash". According to him, a significant number of Ukrainian Starlink users have already encountered the first restrictions in the operation of satellite communications.
He noted that SpaceX is working closely with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the current solutions are emergency. In the future, it is planned to implement more balanced and technologically advanced mechanisms.
According to Beskrestnov, one of the key problems remains the lack of complete information about all Starlink military terminals located on the territory of Ukraine. This applies not only to officially transferred devices, but also to those received through volunteers or purchased independently. A mechanism for centralized accounting of such terminals is currently being developed.
The advisor to the Minister of Defense emphasized that the introduced restrictions may temporarily affect legal users, but these steps are necessary for security reasons.
Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers have begun complaining about new technical limitations. According to them, Starlink terminals automatically turn off when they reach a speed of approximately 75–90 kilometers per hour. This mechanism, according to experts, significantly complicates the use of Starlink on drones or mobile platforms.
Information has also emerged that a system of so-called "white lists" is currently being developed, which will allow only verified and confirmed terminals to operate.
Earlier, Sergey Beskrestnov reported that on January 24, Russian troops first used Shahed drones controlled via Starlink satellite communication. This happened during an attack in the Kropyvnytskyi area, where the strike was directed at helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Later, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that Russia had begun equipping drones with Starlink satellite systems. In response, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, together with SpaceX, began working to block the enemy from using these terminals.
As a result, the necessary solutions were found in a short time. The Ukrainian side noted the prompt response of SpaceX and its management in countering the use of Starlink for attacks on Ukraine.
