War in Ukraine: why Elon Musk's company SpaceX and the Starlink network find themselves embroiled in the conflict with Russia ?

Elon Musk's SpaceX company would find itself involved in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. (drawing) PAP – ZBIGNIEW MEISSNER

Maintaining communications is crucial for Ukraine in the conflict against Russia, but Vladimir Putin's army would use the Starlink network of Elon Musk's company SpaceX in the territories it ;#39;she occupies.

The Russian army begins to use the Starlink satellite communications service in a "systemic manner", designed by American billionaire Elon Musk's company SpaceX, in the territories it occupies in Ukraine, Ukrainian intelligence said this Sunday.

A suspicious exchange

Starlink, which offered terminals to Ukraine following the Russian invasion of February 2022, assures that it is not in business with the Russian government or the # 39;s army. "Cases of use of said equipment by the Russian occupiers have been documented. This is beginning to take on a systemic dimension", indicates the Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in a press release, quoting its spokesperson, Andriy Yousov.

The terminals are used in particular by the Russian 83rd Air Assault Brigade, engaged in combat in the towns of Klichtchiivka and Andriivka, in the Donetsk region (east). The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The GUR claims to have intercepted an exchange between two Russian soldiers on the activation of Starlink terminals.

The alleged audio document was posted on Telegram. Ukrainian intelligence does not specify the provenance of the Starlink terminals – whether they were acquired abroad or were taken from Ukrainian forces.

On February 8, Starlink declared in a press release broadcast on X that its terminals were not active in Russia and denied any transaction with the Russian authorities. "If SpaceX learns that a Starlink terminal is being used by a sanctioned or unauthorized party, we will investigate and take action to disable the terminal if confirmed& ;quot;, the company said.