Musk’s SpaceX and Ukraine’s defence ministry to block Russia’s use of Starlink

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has taken the first steps to stop Russia from using Starlink to operate and control attack drones over Ukraine in what Kyiv has lauded as already delivering "real results".

Over the past few days, Ukraine’s defence ministry reached out to SpaceX, calling the company to prevent Russian drones from using Starlink.

Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov explained that the satellite internet system could help them to operate further over Ukraine and even avoid interception.

“Russian drones equipped with terminals are difficult to shoot down. They fly at low altitudes, are resistant to electronic warfare, and are controlled by operators in real time, even at long distances,” Fedorov explained.

“Thanks to the first steps taken in recent days, no Ukrainians have been killed by Russian drones using Starlink — and that is priceless.”

SpaceX responded promptly with Musk posting on X that SpaceX's efforts to halt "unauthorized" Russian use of Starlink seemed to have worked.

"Let us know if more needs to be done," the tech billionaire added in a public exchange with Fedorov on X.

Russian use of Starlink

In a social media post in February 2024, SpaceX said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia, and "does not do business of any kind with the Russian government or its military."

But according to Ukrainian military and Kyiv officials, Moscow troops have been mounting Starlink systems on Russian attack drones to strike deeper into Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials said they collected evidence of “hundred” of attacks by Starlink- equiped drones. This allowed Russian operators to bypass Ukraine’s electronic defences that disable drones by jamming GPS and radio signals.

According to Ukraine’s Defence Ministry adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, these were Starlink-controlled Russian drones that attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region recently.

The US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also stated that Russian forces appear to be increasingly relying on Starlinks to increase the range of operation of strike drones while increasing drone resilience against Ukrainian electronic warfare.

“The reported 500-kilometre range of Starlink-equipped BM-35 drones places most of Ukraine, all of Moldova, and parts of Poland, Romania and Lithuania in range of these drones if launched from Russia or occupied Ukraine,” the ISW estimated.

The think tank also said it has observed reports of Starlink-equipped Shahed long-range strike drones beginning in September 2024 and of Rubikon equipping Molniya strike drones with Starlink systems beginning in December 2025.

Crucial role of Starlink for Ukrainian military

Musk initially enabled Starlink service over Ukraine in 2022 after Kyiv pleaded for help in the first days following Russia's full-scale invasion. Since then, Ukraine has received over 50,000 Starlink terminals.

Ukrainian forces depend significantly on Starlink for communication in frontline positions. Many military commanders prefer satellite internet over traditional radio communications because it offers a more secure way to connect with troops at a distance.

Amid the new reports of unauthorised use of Starlink by Russian forces, Ukraine’s defence minister announced a verification of all Starlink terminals in Ukraine.

“The government has adopted a resolution on the introduction of a ‘white list’ for Starlink satellite terminals. Soon, only verified and registered terminals will operate in Ukraine. All others will be disabled”, Fedorov said on Monday, adding that the process is being implemented “in cooperation with SpaceX”.

“Thanks to the ‘whitelist,’ we maintain stable communication for Ukrainians, enhance security, and deprive the enemy of technological advantages. This is a necessary step by the government to preserve the lives of Ukrainians and our energy facilities.”

Diplomacy on X

Until January, Fedorov served as Ukraine's deputy prime minister and digital transformation minister.

He has been praised for implementing Ukraine’s strategy of a "state within a smartphone" as part of efforts to minimise bureaucracy. Since the launch of the Diia app in 2020, a range of government services has been available on people’s smartphones.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, his ministry has been significantly involved in drone development and production, and education reforms.

He also played a key role in launching a project linking the Digital Transformation Ministry with the Defence Ministry to advance military technology.

Fedorov already reached out to Musk both publicly and privately since Russia started its all-out war against Ukraine.

In 2022, Musk quickly responded on X to Fedorov's request for Starlink internet terminals, after two days into Russia’s full-scale invasion, when Fedorov tagged Musk, asking for help.

“While you try to colonise Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine. While your rockets successfully land from space, Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civilians. We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand," Fedovor said.

Musk replied just hours later, saying, “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”

The two stayed in touch ever since and maintained the cooperation, prompting anger and regular threats from Moscow.

After Musk announced the first steps towards preventing Russian forces from using Straklink for their attack drones against Ukraine, the Kremlin-affiliated media issued more threats, calling for Moscow to target Musk's satellites in space with nuclear weapons.

Russia is believed to be developing anti-satellite weapons to target Starlink by littering the satellite orbits with shrapnel, according to an AP report from December 2025.

Western intelligence believes that the purpose of this possible space attack by Moscow is to limit the advantage of Western countries in space, in particular Starlink satellites that help Ukraine on the battlefield.