Ukrainian suicide naval drones which reportedly use Starlink as a data-link.
SpaceX has taken measures to prevent Kiev forces from using the Starlink satellite internet service for controlling drones used in military operations, SpaceX’s president said on February 8.
The Starlink satellite internet constellation was activated over Ukraine just a few days after the Russian special military operation last year. The system quickly became the main internet and communication provider for the Kiev government and its forces.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, said during a conference in Washington, D.C. that Starlink was “never never meant to be weaponized.”
“Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement,” she told reporters.
Shotwell referred to reports that Kiev forces had used the Starlink service to control drones used in operations against the Russian military.
“There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that,” she said, referring to Starlink’s use with drones. “There are things that we can do, and have done.”
Using Starlink with drones went beyond the scope of an agreement SpaceX has with the Ukrainian government, Shotwell said, adding the contract was intended for humanitarian purposes such as providing broadband internet to hospitals, banks and families affected by Russia’s invasion.
“We know the military is using them for comms, and that’s ok,” she said. “But our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes.”
Ukraine internet service is now being provided by more than 20,000 Starlink terminals, some from Western governments and volunteers, in addition to many provided directly by SpaceX. The Russian military has been hunting down Starlink terminals on the ground with direct fire and working to disturb the system with electronic warfare means.
Ukraine’s use of Starlink to control military drones is well-documented. Last, October, several Ukrainian suicide naval drones attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea’s Sevastopol Port. The drones data-link was reportedly built around a Starlink terminal.
SpaceX’s decision to curb Ukrainian use of Starlink for controlling drones may be meant to protect the company from any legal consequences. Meanwhile, Kiev forces will apparently continue to use the system for military communications just like before.
Musk will return the money to Pentagon, aha.
“Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, said during a conference in Washington, D.C. that Starlink was “never never meant to be weaponized.”
This is lies, because “Starlink” is project of Pentagon from the beginning like it was with arpanet (prototype of internet). And she proves that a bit later: ““We know the military is using them for comms, and that’s ok,” she said.” Nazis at the front line are using SL terminals, but it’s not weaponizing. Gwynne, are you stupid or do really think that others are idiots to believe your crap?
and Elon musk the front man.
Yeah, quite talented merchandiser/promoter.
Drones have cameras. And the videos of drones using chemical weapons keep getting posted while using StarLink. Musk got scared of possible charges for being an accessory to mass murder using chemical weapons, so he zipped it.
Was actually about to make a comment on this. The fact is Ukraine started using chemical weapons and is being recorded by the very drones being used to deploy them. Regardless of if they are charged as a war crime, the company which supports then could theoretically be charges in civil case by surviving family members or by a 3rd party with interests meaning they could (and would most likely) be found liable or responsible for permitting such service as they would have had knowledge of what was being done in the first place.
Χοχλι Ψερτβι — mean victims or dead?
Now that we all know that US and UK did NS1-NS2. It’s time for the RF to apply vengeance (Wie Du Mir So Ich Dir), which means the RF has to destroy the underwater communication cable between US and UK in the international waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Prove to the free world that you have balls, Russia, otherwise you will lose respect among Herrenländer (nations). And you know what yank? You can do nothing to stop it – Russia has more nukes and you and the UK have combined. And a impenetrable AD. Cope.
Good, cut Ukraina off from the Starlink network!
He’s afraid he’ll become a legitimate target.
If Mr Musk’s Starlink can be accessed, then it can possibly be hacked and made to do whatever. The present Ukrainian regime which is press-ganging its own youth to fight Russians, has an even worse reputation for sticking to agreements than the isreali apartheid regime.
Mr Musk should be careful as these people he is dealing with can turn on a dime.
Musk is just covering up the fact that they have no control over starlink, and Russia has already identified numerous ways of shutting it down and are successfully applying it in the war theatre.
Russian EW in action. Musk and other psycho trying to save face.
Bullshit! After all, SpaceX is an American company and controlled by US government who wants to eliminate Russians.
This means SpaceX is providing network for the Nazis’ drones. They’re just using a diversion tactic.
It’s also my impression. Ridiculous complains of spaceX against Ukraine are rather a part of a show to demonstrate a good will , but in fact the company is full involved in the war against Russia. Of course the Russian MoD knows it and has already found the ways to disturb this false support. I suppose the show of spaceX should prevent the company from being accused of war crimes and maybe to save its image after NATO’s defeat in Ukraine. Also possible that there are some connections with the Russian space industry and both the Russian and American part want to save these connections for the future and that’s why try to avoid direct participation in the war.
“They’re just using a diversion tactic.”
It’s like the talks about other equipment: step 1 – we will not send, step 2 – we will send few units and later, step 3 – units are already at the front line weeks after step one. They could supply nazis in silence, but sodomite demons can’t stop their lies.
Never trust a capitalist. Especially a very wealthy one.
The contract for how Starlink was to be used by Ukraine being nullified by Ukraine in using its use outside the contractual agreement. In this case Starlink is not at fault or to be blamed, the decision makers in Ukraine are the guilty party.
Software patches can be hacked. The question Musk has to answer is does keeping Starlink turned on for benefit of the hospitals, legitimate NGOs etc. outweigh the militarization of Starlink and its use in violation of the initial contract.
Neuveriteľné. To aby sa RF konečne spamätala a čím skôr obsadila aj ten posledný prístav ktorý Ukrajinskí fašisti ešte majú k dispozícii. Inak Rusko môže čakať nemilé prekvapenie.
la madre rusia los va hacer mierda hijos de su puta madre,nazis y otan de mierda