Starlink in Ukraine is changing the rules: what will happen to unauthorized devices

2 February 09:59

Starlink in Ukraine will only work through authorized terminals. Unverified devices will be gradually disconnected from the network. This was announced by Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".

According to him, the decision was made in cooperation with Starlink. This decision is related not only to cybersecurity issues, but also to new threats on the front lines — Russian troops have begun to use strike drones with access to Starlink, which increases the accuracy and range of attacks.

What is known about Starlink authorization

Mykhailo Fedorov noted that Ukraine and Starlink have already taken the first steps, which have had a rapid practical effect in the fight against enemy drones. The next step will be the introduction of a system to control access to satellite internet.

“The next step is to introduce a system that will allow only authorized terminals to operate in Ukraine,” the minister said.

Unverified terminals will be disconnected

According to Fedorov, all Starlink terminals that do not pass verification will be disconnected from the network. This will prevent unauthorized use of equipment and reduce security risks.

At the same time, the minister stressed that the registration process will not be a problem for Ukrainian users:

“The registration process will be simple, fast, and convenient for users.”

When will the instructions be available?

In the coming days, the state will publish detailed instructions for Starlink users in Ukraine on how to register and verify terminals.

After that, authorization will become a mandatory condition for the operation of satellite internet in the country.

Russia uses Starlink on strike drones

Ukrainian and Western media report that the Russian occupation army is increasingly using Starlink on Shahed and BM-35 drones. Satellite internet allows the enemy to bypass Ukrainian electronic warfare systems, maintain stable communication with drones, and adjust strikes in real time.

This information has been confirmed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In their report, analysts noted that the use of Starlink significantly increases the flight range of Russian UAVs and their effectiveness during attacks on Ukrainian territory.

The scandal surrounding Musk and Poland’s reaction

After the ISW publication, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski publicly appealed to Elon Musk to stop the Russian military from using Starlink.

In response, Musk reacted sharply on social media, calling Sikorski an “imbecile” and stating that he did not understand the role of Starlink.

Ukraine and SpaceX: what has already been done

Mykhailo Fedorov said that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense had directly contacted SpaceX and proposed technical solutions to the problem of unauthorized use of terminals.

It is against this backdrop that Ukraine is moving to mandatory Starlink verification to prevent the enemy from using satellite internet.

How Starlink gets to Russia

According to an investigation by InformNapalm, despite sanctions, Starlink terminals are reaching Russia through parallel import schemes involving third countries.

Two years ago, Russia began experimenting with equipping drones with satellite communication systems. Although SpaceX officially stated that it does not sell Starlink to Russia either directly or indirectly, supplies continued through intermediaries.

In 2024, the Pentagon, together with SpaceX and the Ukrainian government, already shut down some of the Russian military’s unauthorized connections to Starlink on the battlefield.

Why Starlink authorization is critically important

The introduction of mandatory registration means that:

only authorized Ukrainian terminals will work;
unverified devices will be disconnected from the network;
the risk of Starlink being used on enemy drones will be significantly reduced.

Instructions for users on how to verify terminals are expected to be published in the coming days. The government assures that the procedure will be quick and simple.

What is Starlink and are there any alternatives

Starlink is a global satellite internet system from SpaceX that provides high-speed connectivity even in areas without ground infrastructure. In Ukraine, the service has become critically important for the army, hospitals, communications, and government agencies in wartime.

At the same time, Ukraine is already considering alternatives to Starlink, in particular: