Why Starlink internet is key in the drone war of Ukraine against Russia

Why Starlink Internet is Key in Ukraine's Drone War Against Russia - Author, Tom McArthur - Author, Tiffany Wertheimer - Publication Date - Reading Time: 7 min Starlink satellites, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, offer very valuable high-speed internet for modern wars. In the case of Ukraine, the service is vital for battlefield communications and for making its drone war against Russia effective. Thanks to Starlink, Ukrainian drones can stay connected to their operators at distances greater than with conventional radio networks, and they make them less vulnerable to interference. But on Tuesday night, Starlink suddenly and unexpectedly restricted the flight speed at which drones can connect to its internet network. This interrupted some "missions" on the battlefield, according to a high Ukrainian official, while also hindering Kyiv's ability to protect itself from Russian attacks. The speed restriction to 160 km/h meant that any drone traveling faster than that lost the connection, rendering them practically unusable. "Starlink gives Ukraine the ability to see what is coming and to protect people," declared Kurt Volker, former US ambassador to NATO, on the BBC Radio 4 program Today. "If that communication is interrupted, more people will die, and slowing it down in the way it has been done is a very cynical and insensitive decision." Ukrainian Defense sources informed the BBC that part of the Starlink military service Starshield was restored on Wednesday night, although it is not yet clear if the restrictions on the speed at which drones can fly without losing connection have been fully lifted. The sources added that the authorities were still working to clarify "the reasons and circumstances" behind this measure. But this measure has once again demonstrated how Starlink can influence the conflict, which has plagued the country since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. What are Starlink and Starshield? Starlink is an internet network that uses satellites in low Earth orbit that provide connectivity, especially in remote areas and battlefields. It currently has more than 10,000 active satellites, making it the largest satellite constellation in the world. It is owned by SpaceX, Elon Musk's company, and is the company's main source of income. While Starlink is for civil use, Starshield is its military service, designed for the Pentagon. Starshield is based on the Starlink network but has greater security, such as enhanced encryption, so that confidential information can be transmitted without being intercepted. The US government has allowed Ukraine to use Starlink and Starshield in its defense against Russia. Musk cut Russia's access to the service in February, which gave Kyiv an advantage in the conflict. How does it work in the war? In short, Starlink uses its thousands of satellites to provide high-speed internet to almost every corner of the planet, through ground terminals that users can easily buy and install. As Musk says, they have only two instructions: "point to the sky and connect". This makes them ideal for use on the battlefield. "It's a connection... that can basically be used very fast, no special equipment is needed, no need to prepare, you just go to the ground and it usually works," said Neo, a soldier belonging to one of Ukraine's drone reconnaissance units, to the BBC. "It simplifies our work because we can translate or broadcast our reconnaissance operations live," he added. According to George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the network has become "the backbone of military communications in Ukraine" and is used by Kyiv's naval, land, and air forces. In Ukraine, both Starlink (civil service) and Starshield (military service) are used, depending on communication needs. According to Barros, who explained to the BBC, it is fundamental for the effective use of weapons like drones, which connect to the network so that operators can see their targets in real time, thus minimizing the time between detection and firing. Since Russia is not authorized to use Starlink, when Ukraine launches long-range missiles into Russia to attack oil refineries, the network does not work. Regarding Ukraine's self-defense, the country depends on the Starlink network to protect its airspace from Russian attacks, especially Shahed drones powered by reactors, added Barros. The Shaheds fly at speeds exceeding 319 km/h, meaning that the Starlink restriction made Ukrainian efforts to locate them practically impossible. For soldier Neo, this means that any deliberate restriction on the Starlink network is "a betrayal". Since there is no immediate substitute for the Starlink network, any speed restriction or loss of connectivity has significant implications for Ukraine's defenses, and the recent limitations have demonstrated Kyiv's great dependence on this network. Although Starlink can provide access almost anywhere in the world, this does not mean it can be accessed everywhere, and countries must obtain a license to use it. Russia is one of the places where it is not authorized, although Kyiv has stated in the past that Moscow continued to acquire terminals and use them in the occupied territory of Ukraine. "If SpaceX knows that an unauthorized party is using a Starlink terminal, we will investigate the complaint and take measures to deactivate the terminal if confirmed," Starlink stated in 2024. But with tens of thousands of terminals only in Ukraine, it could be almost impossible to determine which terminals are authorized and which are not. Why was the speed restriction imposed? The answer is still unclear. During a visit to London on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky had said that he expected it to be just a mistake; however, in a later interview with the Financial Times, he stated: "It was not a technical problem, it was their will." Musk stated that Starshield is managed by the US government and suggested that the Pentagon might be responsible. "The Starshield systems are the property of the US government and are under its control," he wrote on X. "Any speed limit or use is decided by the US armed forces and, ultimately, the President of the United States." "Starlink is a commercial service owned by SpaceX and controlled by it. The use of Starlink is limited to civil or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military actions, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company," he concluded. The BBC attempted to obtain comments from the White House and the Pentagon. The restrictions imposed on Tuesday night coincided with Russia's deadly attacks on Ukraine, which left 600,000 people without electricity and affected the communication and energy facilities used by the Ukrainian army. Ukrainians claimed not to have received any warning about the drones' arrival before they hit. "It is clear that this action cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation," wrote Zelensky's advisor, Serhiy Beskrestnov, on Telegram on Wednesday morning. Relations between the United States and Ukraine have recently worsened, especially since the United States announced an agreement with Russia to import its diesel into the US market. Zelensky called it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and in response Donald Trump said that he believes "it is time for Ukraine to have a new president." On Sunday, Trump announced a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, but three days later, Ukraine resumed attacks, accusing Russia of ignoring the agreement and the United States of withdrawing crucial support. The Kremlin said it never accepted a ceasefire. Zelensky has accused the United States of threatening to withhold intelligence if Ukraine continues to attack Russian oil facilities. Trump has denied this, but last week he told the press that Zelensky "cares more about stopping" the attacks. During his stay in London, Zelensky admitted to feeling betrayed by the United States. Trump's agreement with Russia is the latest attempt by his government to lower fuel prices in the United States before the mid-term elections in November, after months grappling with the political consequences of the war with Iran. That conflict, which began in February, has driven up prices, deteriorating its popularity among Americans. This article was originally written in English and we used an artificial intelligence tool to translate it. A BBC journalist reviewed the text before its publication. More information on how we use AI. - Download the new BBC World Service app. Choose BBC News Mundo and receive news alerts, documentaries, and analysis, all in one place. Important: the new application is not available in the UK or the United States. - You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and our WhatsApp channel. - And don't forget to subscribe here to our newsletter to receive a special selection of our best content every Friday.