With Starlink blocked, Russia deploys satellite internet terminals at front line – Flash. PHOTOS
Russians are delivering satellite terminals to the front line to provide the Russian army with internet access. The antennas look like large dishes oriented to the southeast and can operate even deep in the rear via Wi-Fi bridges.
This was reported by Serhii (Flash) Beskrestnov, advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defence on technological issues, according to Censor.NET.
What is known?
"Information is coming in about urgent deliveries of satellite internet terminals to the enemy’s fronts. Russia has several high-speed satellite internet providers based on the Yamal and Express satellites," he wrote.
What makes them distinctive and how to spot them
1. All antennas of these terminals look like a satellite TV dish, 60–120 centimeters in diameter. They are oval or round in shape.
2. All dishes will be facing southeast or south (azimuth 110–180 degrees).
3. The dish is described as visually uncovered, without a protective cover like the one used on Starlink equipment.
4. The dish may be placed away from the forward line and linked to it via a Wi-Fi bridge.
Background
- Earlier, it was reported that Russia is increasingly equipping strike drones with Starlink satellite terminals. This allows drones to maintain control and navigation even under conditions of intense signal jamming.
- SpaceX, in turn, stated that it does not cooperate with the Russian military and will shut down terminals if violations are detected.
- Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski publicly addressed Musk regarding the use of Starlink terminals by Russian drones in the war against Ukraine.
- In turn, American billionaire and SpaceX founder Elon Musk called Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski a "drooling imbecile" for calling for restrictions on Starlink for Russia.
- Elon Musk later responded to Ukraine's request to resolve the issue of Starlink terminals being used in Russian Shahed kamikaze drones.
- On 25 January, radio technology expert Serhii (Flash) Beskrestnov, who became an advisor to Defence Minister Mikhail Fedorov on technological issues, announced the possible use of Starlink satellite internet by Russians on Shahed strike UAVs.
- Later, Defence Minister Fedorov announced that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, together with SpaceX, was addressing the issue of Starlink's use on Russian UAVs.
- On 1 February, American businessman Elon Musk assured that Russia's unauthorised use of Starlink had been stopped.
- The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that the Russian army is experiencing serious problems with satellite communications on the front lines after mass blockages of Starlink terminals.
