According to new reports emerging online, Russia
has used Starlink
on its Iranian-origin Shahid one-way attack drones
. Russia is under US sanctions, and SpaceX
has stated it does not do business with its Starlink system. On the other hand, Ukraine extensively uses Starlink on its drones (which have been used to great effect against Russia). Ukraine
has beaten expectations and inflicted massive losses on Russia with its drones – mostly recently

blowing massive ammo storage bases up in giant mushroom balls of fire
.

Maria Avdeeva, a Ukrainian journalist and Research Director at the European Expert Association in Ukraine who has been working to counter Russian disinformation since 2014, reported that Russian Shahid drones have been found equipped with Starlink for the first time. She stated that this was found after the drones were shot down over Ukraine.

“This gives Shahed drones a powerful communication channel, enabling data and video transmission, as well as the ability to change flight tasks remotely as reported by @DEFENSEEXPRESS 3/ With a flight range of up to 2,000 km, this transformation turns Shahed into a powerful intelligence tool, in addition to its deadly explosive payload. Will be interesting to track how Russia is acquiring these Starlink” – Maria Avdeeva

This is not the first time reports have emerged of Russia using Starlink in its war against Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported something similar earlier in the year. According to Reuters, it was then reported that Russian troops have been communicating over the Starlink system “for quite a long time”. It acquired the terminals from private Russian firms that purchased them from intermediaries.

Reuters reported in February 2024, “Ukraine relies extensively on Starlink, saying last year that around 42,000 terminals were in use by the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organizations, with the Pentagon helping to fund access for Ukrainian forces.”

Unmanned Russian military drone Lancet flying

Photo: Anelo l Shutterstock

One of the first ways the US came to the aid of Ukraine in the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine was by shipping Starlink terminals to Ukraine. This meant that Russia was unable to sever Ukraine’s connection to the outside world and, crucially, enabled Ukrainian commanders to retain communication with their troops.

Russia’s GLONASS deteriorating

The US Department of Defense has worked with SpaceX to ensure Ukraine has the use of Starlink while Russian and Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine are denied it. While Russia has satellites, its communication systems and long-range ISR capabilities have been poor so far in this war.

Female military drone operator

Photo: Burlingham l Shutterstock

“Since 2020, the Russian GLOSNASS constellation has faced age-related challenges. Four years ago, 13 of the 24 GLONASS system satellites were GLONASS-M generation and has already exceeded their seven-year warranted lifetime.” – The Jamestown Foundation

For example, Russia’s GLONASS satellite system (the Russian answer to the American GPS system) is aging and has been termed in an “abandoned state” and in “limbo.” According to The Jamestown Foundation, this has increased Russia’s dependence on China. Chinese outlets have also reportedly mocked Russia’s supposed ‘hypersonic’ Kh-47M2 Kinzhal’ Dagger’ air-launched high-speed ballistic missile as outdated and noted its dependence on Russia’s inadequate GLONASS satellite system.

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