“There have been some false reports that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia,” Musk said on the X platform (formerly Twitter). “To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia,” the entrepreneur added.
When asked if Starlink terminals could be activated from Russia, Musk replied that “Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia.”
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Musk's comments came in response to Kiev's claims that Russian forces are using the Starlink satellite service on the battlefield. Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) said it had intercepted a conversation between Russian soldiers, in which one person can be heard saying in Russian, "Starlink is working, we have internet."
GUR spokesman Andrey Yusov claimed that the Russian military is using Starlink terminals “systematically .” Military-themed news website Defense One cited Ukrainian sources this week as saying that Kiev’s forces first discovered Russia’s use of Starlink “several months ago.”
Moscow has not commented on the allegations. SpaceX issued a separate statement saying the company “does not do business in any way with the Russian government or military” and “has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia.”
Musk donated about 20,000 Starlink terminals to Kiev shortly after Russia launched its military operation in February 2022.
However, the billionaire said he had refused to activate Starlink service in Crimea, saying Kiev's attacks on Russia's Black Sea fleet would lead to further escalation. While pledging support for Ukraine, Musk has repeatedly said he supports a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Phuong Anh (Source: RT)
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