Starlink uses emergency fix to block Russian drones using its devices to bomb Ukraine — company looking for permanent solutions to stop unauthorized use of its service
SpaceX and Ukraine have worked together to disable unauthorized Starlink terminals operating inside the country. This is an important update after news came last month that Russia continues to use the service to control its long-range drones that attack targets well within Ukraine’s borders.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s newly appointed Defense Secretary, went on Telegram [machine translated] on January 29 to thank SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and owner Elon Musk for their quick response on the issue after the latest Starlink-equipped drone attack on various Ukrainian cities, adding that the quick arrival of Starlink terminals into the country at the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022 “became critical to the resilience of our state.”
However, this is a temporary solution that has affected both unauthorized Starlink terminals, and legitimate terminals within the country, for now.
“Many users of the Starlink satellite communication system in Ukraine are already observing the first countermeasures that SpaceX took at the request of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine,” Defense advisor Sehiy Beskrestnov posted on Telegram [machine translated]. He later said, “I want to emphasize that the current solutions are TEMPORARY (or in other words, EMERGENCY) and will be replaced by a global, thoughtful solution that will take time for us,” and also added, “I once again apologize to those who were temporarily affected by the measures take, but for the security of the country, there are now very important and necessary actions.”
This move means that enemy forces can no longer use Starlink to remotely control drones and accurately hit targets in Ukraine. Unconfirmed reports say that this would limit the top speed of some drones from 180 to 270 kph (112 to 168 mph) to just 75 kph (47 mph), making them much easier to shoot down. While Starlink can be replaced with either fiber optic cables or radio communications, these would either limit their range or are prone to jamming.
It’s unclear what steps SpaceX and Ukraine took to block Russian drones from using Starlink terminals, but it’s apparent that the company is only allowing registered users to access its network.
“Ukraine, together with Starlink, has already taken the first steps that have yielded quick results in the fight against Russian drones. The next step is to introduce a system that will allow only authorize terminals to operate on the territory of Ukraine,” Fedorov said on Telegram [machine translated]. “In the coming days, we will publish instructions for Ukrainian users on how to register Starlink for verification. Unverified terminals will be disabled.”
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Starlink served as the lifeline for Ukraine during the initial weeks of the attack, as Russian state actors attacked its network infrastructure and crippled internet and communications right before Russian troops poured into its borders from the north, south, and east. Musk's satellite internet service is extremely challenging to counter, helping Ukrainian forces stay online despite electronic warfare along the frontlines.
However, it also meant that the other side can possibly use it to attack Ukrainian targets, too, especially if they’re launched from within Ukraine’s borders (as Starlink is blocked in Russia). Because of this, China is reportedly studying the use of drone jammer swarms to interfere with Starlink, especially as it creates plans to invade the island of Taiwan.
Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.
