Images from the war front in Ukraine show how Russian soldiers managed to hijack several Starlink internet systems developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company. Moreover, it appears that the Russians are already using the Starlink system on the front lines.

Images posted on the social network show how the Russian military managed to get hold of numerous Starlink antenna systems that will allow them to access SpaceX’s satellite network, which can provide them with internet coverage even in remote areas and even on the front lines.

It is unclear how the Russians managed to get hold of the Starlink systems, as Elon Musk’s company has repeatedly said in the past that it does not do business with the Russian government. One hypothesis put forward by some commentators was that the Russians could buy Starlink systems through intermediaries in some third country markets.

Moreover, images of such Starlink systems also appeared from the Russian side right on the front line, in the midst of hostilities. Some Ukrainian commentators believe that the use of Starlink systems on the front line may lead to communication problems.

On the other hand, using them so close to the front would make it virtually impossible to stop Starlink satellites from providing information, since they would be in a “strip” of land just a few kilometers away, where Ukrainians also use and need the company’s services. to Musk.

The Starlink service is vital for Ukrainian troops

Starlink, a satellite communications service that can provide Internet connectivity even in the most remote areas of the planet, has been used by Ukrainian forces since the beginning of the conflict for a variety of operations, including battlefield communications.

In the fall of 2022, SpaceX, the company that manufactures Starlink, warned the Pentagon that it may stop this vital service for Ukraine, which it has been offering for free since the beginning of the war. Elon Musk drew attention to the fact that the operation has become too expensive and he cannot carry it out for free indefinitely. According to the billionaire, maintenance costs were $20 million a month. In the end, the Pentagon agreed to support Starlink costs for Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war, SpaceX has provided Ukrainians and the country’s military with the Internet service Starlink, a network of more than 4,000 low-orbit minisatellites, at the expense of private donations and under a separate contract with the US foreign aid agency. Earth.

Russia has attempted to disrupt and block Internet services in Ukraine, including blocking Starlink in the region, but SpaceX countered these attacks by hardening the service’s software.