Russia’s "shadow fleet" uses Starlink to coordinate ships, - media
Vessels belonging to Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet" use Starlink satellite communications to coordinate their actions and maintain contact with their owners.
According to Censor.NET, this is reported by the Kyiv Independent.
Journalists discovered this during their investigation after speaking with sailors who had worked on such vessels. According to them, communication between the tankers and operators is often facilitated by Western technology, specifically Starlink satellite terminals.
How the system works
According to the investigation, access to communication systems is typically restricted to the crew, but the captain has full access and maintains constant contact with shipowners and brokers.
According to the sailors, Starlink can be purchased through resellers.
Journalists also confirmed the use of this technology through several independent sources connected to operations on other vessels in the "shadow fleet."
Funding and Terms of Operation
In addition, crew members are often paid in Tether cryptocurrency. According to sources, the cost of maintaining a single vessel with a crew of about 30 people can reach $120,000 per month.
Ukraine's Position
Vladislav Vlasiuk, the President of Ukraine’s Special Representative for Sanctions Policy, stated that using Starlink to circumvent sanctions is unacceptable.
He called on SpaceX to take steps to prevent its technologies from being used by "shadow fleets," particularly Russia.
Context
Russia's "shadow fleet" is used to circumvent international sanctions, particularly in the oil export sector, and often involves complex logistics and financing schemes.
