- Evidence has emerged of Russian troops using Starlink terminals
- The terminals are meant to be blocked in Russia
- Russian pro-war fanatics have now dubbed Musk ‘Colonel Elon Muskov’
Russian pro-war fanatics have dubbed Elon Musk ‘Colonel Elon Muskov’, amid claims that his Starlink satellite system is deployed by Vladimir Putin’s forces in occupied Ukraine.
Kyiv said on Sunday that the SpaceX communications device was being used by Russian troops in its invasion of Ukraine, with military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov calling the problem ‘systemic.’
He said: ‘Cases of use of these devices by Russian occupiers have been recorded. This is beginning to become systemic.’
The technology has played a key role in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but it is supposed to be ‘geofenced’ so that they do not operate in unauthorised nations, including Russia.
But Russia’s 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade are among those using the service, around the Klishchiivka and Andriivka battlefields, says the Ukrainian GUR military intelligence agency.
Elon Musk (pictured) was criticised after evidence of Russian troops using Starlink terminals emerged
![Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150157-13073283-image-a-10_1707726462001.jpg)
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
![A Ukrainian soldier of an artillery unit fires towards Russian positions outside Bakhmut](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150149-13073283-image-a-11_1707726464466.jpg)
A Ukrainian soldier of an artillery unit fires towards Russian positions outside Bakhmut
![Vladimir Putin's (pictured) forces have allegedly been using Starlink satellites](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150145-13073283-image-a-12_1707726467174.jpg)
Vladimir Putin’s (pictured) forces have allegedly been using Starlink satellites
It appears to be operative in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of occupied Ukraine, giving a decisive military advantage to Putin’s forces.
Some believe that Russian forces have been able to ‘spoof’ Starlink terminals, making it appear to be operating in authorised regions.
Others theorise that Russian soldiers may have stolen terminals from Ukrainian areas that are in authorised regions, but have since been taken over by invading forces.
It has also been suggested that the terminals were bought under-the-table in the UAE.
The pro-war Two Majors approvingly dubbed 52-year-old X-owner Musk as Colonel Muskov.
The channel said: ‘[Starlink] terminals are actively purchased and resold by Russian resellers.
‘The purchase is made through third countries, through frontmen. It is impossible to track and cover up these schemes.’
![Some believe that Russian forces have been able to 'spoof' Starlink terminals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150405-13073283-image-a-13_1707726554473.jpg)
Some believe that Russian forces have been able to ‘spoof’ Starlink terminals
![It has also been suggested that the terminals were bought under-the-table in the UAE](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150383-13073283-image-a-14_1707726559190.jpg)
It has also been suggested that the terminals were bought under-the-table in the UAE
![Until now the system has operated in Ukraine, except Crimea, as Musk wanted to stop Kyiv targeting Russian warships](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150385-13073283-image-a-15_1707726563566.jpg)
Until now the system has operated in Ukraine, except Crimea, as Musk wanted to stop Kyiv targeting Russian warships
Until now the system has operated in Ukraine, except Crimea, as Musk wanted to stop Kyiv targeting Russian warships, and use the terminals for humanitarian instead of military purposes.
Musk was praised by dictator Putin this week.
The US tech tycoon called for an end to US economic support for Ukraine during the war with Russia.
Musk declared: ‘It is time to stop the meat grinder…it should have been done a year ago.’
SpaceX said it ‘does not do business of any kind with the Russian Government or its military’.
The company said: ‘Starlink is not active in Russia, meaning service will not work in that country.
‘SpaceX has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia.’
![Musk - seen as having pro-Russian - sympathies was praised by dictator Putin this week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150381-13073283-image-a-17_1707726568602.jpg)
Musk – seen as having pro-Russian – sympathies was praised by dictator Putin this week
![American military portal Defense One said Russian had been using Starlink for several months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/12/08/81150399-13073283-image-a-16_1707726566305.jpg)
American military portal Defense One said Russian had been using Starlink for several months
And in a post to X on Sunday, Musk said: ‘To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia … A number of false news reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is categorically false.’
It could deactivate terminals obtained without appropriate licenses, but this would not preclude Russian forces using it in areas of occupied Ukraine – except Crimea.
American military portal Defense One said Russian had been using Starlink for several months.
‘We’re not allowed to actually turn on connectivity to a sanctioned country without government approval, which we did not have,’ Musk previously said.
‘They were asking us to take part in a major act of war.’
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