Russian forces are acquiring Starlink terminals from “Arab countries” for use on the front line, according to the Ukrainian military.
On Tuesday, Kyiv’s military intelligence agency (HUR) released what it said was intercepted audio of two Russian soldiers discussing the purchase of the satellite internet units produced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The agency wrote on Telegram: “The aggressor state, Russia, is purchasing communications equipment, including Starlink satellite internet terminals, for use in the war in Arab countries.”
Its statement came after HUR released details last week appearing to confirm the use of Starlink terminals by Russian forces operating in occupied areas of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
A pro-Russian volunteer group also shared what it said were boxed Starlink terminals and commercial Chinese-made drones earmarked for Putin’s forces fighting in Ukraine.
SpaceX, which owns Starlink, denied reports that it had sold equipment to the Russian government or military.
In response to the allegations, Mr Musk, the firm’s billionaire owner, wrote on X: “A number of false news reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is categorically false. To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.”