Ministry of Digital Transformation reveals number of Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine
A new batch of Starlink terminals from Poland (Photo:Denys Shmyhal / Telegram)
There are 42,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals operating in Ukraine, providing critical infrastructure communications since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said in an interview with Ukrinform on April 26.
“Everything is working steadily,” the minister told the Ukrainian news agency.
“We’re in constant communication with the (U.S. SpaceX, owned by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk) company, and react promptly to everything. Currently, there are 42,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine, which provide communication for energy workers, medical personnel, and military personnel.”
The minister noted that “the state did not spend a penny on them” – all were provided by international partners, who also pay for the equipment’s functioning on preferential terms.
He also noted that Russia is attempting to use its technology to disrupt Starlink’s operations, but Ukraine has certain mechanisms to counter these attempts and is working to ensure that they don’t occur.
Earlier, U.S. newspaper the Washington Post reported that Russia has been experimenting with its Tobol electronic warfare systems for months in an effort to cut off Ukrainian troops’ access to satellite internet communication via Starlink.
Also, SpaceX said in February that it was taking measures to restrict Ukraine’s use of Starlink for military purposes, specifically, the use of drones to drop munitions on enemy positions. However, regular releases of videos of such attacks indicate Ukraine still has the capability of using drones in this way, with or without Starlink.
News agency Reuters also reported in February that governments including those of the United States and France are helping to fund the operation of Starlink terminals to ensure Internet communications in Ukraine.
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