Diana Slobodian
February 1, 2026
The Ukrainian Review
American businessman Elon Musk implemented measures to stop Russian forces from using Starlink satellite internet on the front lines. These technological restrictions currently prevent the aggressor from controlling drones via SpaceX terminals. Ukraine and the company’s team continue to cooperate to eliminate this security threat entirely.
The founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, reported this on the X social network. The billionaire stated that the initial steps to restrict unauthorized network access in Russia yielded positive results. He also asked Ukrainian officials about the necessity of further actions. “Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done,” Musk wrote.
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed the effectiveness of these countermeasures. He emphasized that Kyiv maintains close cooperation with the SpaceX team regarding future security steps. Fedorov thanked Musk for his support and called him a champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people.
The threat of Russian UAVs
Russian troops recently began installing Starlink terminals on “Molniya-2” strike drones. This technology allowed the occupiers to control aircraft in real-time over long distances. Such upgrades created a significant threat to the Ukrainian rear because these drones could bypass air defense systems.
Ukrainian intelligence detected the mass use of these systems by the aggressor in late January. Consequently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine initiated urgent negotiations with SpaceX. Specialists developed technical solutions to identify and block terminals operating in occupied territories and contested airspace. By the way, Ukraine and SpaceX have already addressed the unauthorized use of satellite communications by Russian forces on strike drones.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged Elon Musk to ban Russia from using Starlink systems to carry out attacks on Ukraine.
Diana Slobodian is a journalist specializing in international relations, world politics, and culture. Focuses on preparing up-to-date news materials, tracking global events, and researching their cultural context.