Despite the official blocking of access to SpaceX's satellite network within the Russian Federation, Russian military forces continue to find ways to use Starlink terminals in combat conditions. This was stated in an interview by the commander of the 7th Air Assault Corps of Ukraine, Brigadier General Yevhen Lasiychuk.
Methods of Bypassing Restrictions
According to the general, cases of the Russian occupiers using Western satellite communication are not widespread, but they are regularly recorded. Lasiychuk noted that the Russian side resorts to various tricks to maintain communication.
"I cannot say that these are mass cases. But the Russians are cunning — they try to hack accounts, possibly buying them from someone. That is, they somehow manage to use Starlink," the Ukrainian commander commented on the situation.
History of the Conflict Over Communications
The issue of Russian military use of Starlink became acute after the occupiers began actively using drones controlled through this network. In response, Kyiv appealed to SpaceX founder Elon Musk to restrict access to the service for the Russian army.
Subsequently, access to Starlink for users in Russia was blocked. This decision led to serious consequences for Russian units: they faced mass communication disruptions, which significantly complicated the management of troops on the front line.
Search for Alternatives
After losing access to the satellite network, Russian military forces attempted to switch to alternative means of communication. However, according to available data, these attempts proved less effective than using Starlink, creating additional logistical and tactical problems for the Russian army.
