Russian occupiers are using Elon Musk’s Starlink in Ukraine, officials say

Russian occupiers in Ukraine have commandeered some Starlink terminals and are using them for communications, Ukrainian officials say.

Starlink, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, sent terminals to Ukraine soon after Russia's invasion in February 2022, and they have been key to ensuring the stability of Ukrainian communications. Nevertheless, some terminals have been taken by Russian forces.

"Cases of the Russian occupiers' use of the given devices have been registered. It is beginning to take on a systemic nature," Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian defence ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence, said in a statement.

Yusov specifically mentioned Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade, but added that Ukraine is not yet certain how widespread the use of Starlink is within Russian forces. Starlink itself says it has dealt no business with the Russian government or military.