Russian oil tankers use Starlink satellite internet for communications
Ships of the Russian «shadow fleet» use the Starlink system for communication and coordination. The terminals are purchased through shell companies.
Ships of the Russian «shadow fleet» use the Starlink system for communication and coordination. The terminals are purchased through shell companies.
This is stated in an investigation by the Kyiv Independent, which spoke with Ukrainian sailors who claim that they unknowingly became participants in a Russian oil transportation scheme.
They, as well as two other sources who worked on Russian «shadow fleet» vessels, confirmed that communication between tankers and their owners is often maintained using Western technology, including satellite phones and Starlink terminals.
«It can be purchased through a shell company. As far as I know, it’s hard to buy Starlink in Ukraine right now. In other parts of the world, you can just order it and get it by mail. It’s not a weapon — anyone can buy it,» said one of the sailors.
Vladyslav Vlasyuk, representative of the President of Ukraine on sanctions policy, said that SpaceX should block the terminals used on Russian tankers.
Earlier, Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov spoke about working with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to prevent Russians from using Starlink satellite internet on Shahed drones. This led to mandatory verification of all Starlink satellite terminals operating in Ukraine.
According to Fedorov, thanks to this decision, the occupiers were effectively cut off from communication — the number of their streams from the front line decreased by 11 times, and the interception of radio broadcasts increased significantly.
«Russia is deliberately using GPS spoofing to hide its vessels, disrupting navigation systems and endangering other ships. Against this backdrop, relying on Starlink for its own operations is deeply hypocritical,» Vlasyuk said.
He expressed hope that SpaceX would take steps to prevent the use of Starlink by shadow fleets «of any country, including Russia, Venezuela or Iran.»
Recall that in March, the Russian aerospace company BUREAU 1440 launched 16 broadband Internet satellites into space. This is the first stage of the deployment of a constellation in low Earth orbit, which in Russia is called an analogue of Starlink from SpaceX.
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Read the country’s main IT news in our Telegram
Russia launched the first batch of internet satellites to create its own network like Starlink
Russia launched the first batch of internet satellites to create its own network like Starlink
Oil prices have broken a psychological mark. Trump says it’s a «small price to pay for world peace and security.» Meanwhile, Ukrainians are frantically filling up their tanks with fuel, and analysts are offering solutions to the fuel crisis.
Oil prices have broken a psychological mark. Trump says it’s a «small price to pay for world peace and security.» Meanwhile, Ukrainians are frantically filling up their tanks with fuel, and analysts are offering solutions to the fuel crisis.
Starlink traffic in Ukraine dropped by 75% after terminal verification. Occupiers complain that they are left with only radio and pigeons
Starlink traffic in Ukraine dropped by 75% after terminal verification. Occupiers complain that they are left with only radio and pigeons
