Verification of Starlink in Ukraine: a new system to counter Russian drones
Ukraine will implement a verification system for Starlink terminals to ensure the safe use of satellite internet in its territory. This was reported by the Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov.
Fedorov noted that in the coming days, Ukrainians will be provided with a simple and quick guide to verifying Starlink terminals. This will be part of further efforts to combat Russian drones that use unverified terminals. The minister emphasized the importance of cooperation with the American company SpaceX, the results of which are already felt in countering these threats.
The problem arose after it became known that Russian drones used the Starlink system for attacks in Ukraine. There have been cases where drones with Starlink attacked helicopters near Kropyvnytskyi and reached Dnipro.
Plans have been announced to implement a system that will allow only authorized terminals to operate in Ukraine. This should prevent the use of Starlink in new attacks from Russia. Initial steps have already been taken, yielding quick results, and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense continues to work closely with SpaceX to resolve the issue.
Consistently detecting and preventing the use of Starlink on Russian drones has become a priority for both sides. Fedorov thanked SpaceX for their proactive stance in supporting Ukraine and noted that detailed instructions for users will be available soon.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Russians first used Starlink on “shaheds” near Kropyvnytskyi |
| January 26, 2026 | A Russian drone with Starlink reached Dnipro |
| January 29, 2026 | Ukraine and SpaceX began resolving the issue of Starlink use on Russian drones |
| January 31, 2026 | Reports of disruptions with Ukrainian terminals due to blocking for Russians |
