Elon Musk says Russia is highly likely to target Starlink in Ukraine, urges the people of the country to use it with caution.
Elon Musk has warned that Space X’s Starlink satellite broadband service could end up being Russia’s next “target” in Ukraine.
Re: @elonmusk‘s starlink donation.
Good to see.
But remember: if #Putin controls the air above #Ukraine, users’ uplink transmissions become beacons… for airstrikes.
Some background 1/ pic.twitter.com/0p6J87TtUF
— John Scott-Railton (@jsrailton) February 27, 2022
Ahead of Musk, an internet security researcher had warned that satellite communication devices could be subject to Russian airstrikes.
Elon Musk Says Russia Could Target Starlink
Taking to Twitter, Musk wrote, “Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.”
Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022
Furthermore, the 50-year-old business magnate urged users to “turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna away as far away from people as possible.”
Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022
Aside from that, he asked them to “place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection.”
In the comments section, Ukraine minister of digital transformation Mykhailo Fedorov replied saying, “We are going to use them for Ukrainians also after our victory.”
Moreover, Starlink has minimized peak power consumption by updating software. “Updating software to reduce peak power consumption, so Starlink can be powered from car cigarette lighter,” Musk wrote.
“Mobile roaming enabled, so phased array antenna can maintain signal while on moving vehicle,” he explained.
Elon Musk Says More Terminals Are Coming To Ukraine
Musk recently arranged Starlink terminals for the satellite broadband service in Ukraine, following the minister’s appeal. Also, he confirmed that more terminals will be reaching the country soon.
With Russia intensifying its attack in Ukraine, Musk believes Starlink can come under cyber attack from the country.
“Almost all Visat Ukraine user terminals were rendered permanently unusable by a Russian cyberattack on day of invasion, so…yes,” Musk wrote.
This warning is for Ukrainians using Starlink connections, as per a report by WION. Musk asked Ukrainians to turn on Starlink only when needed, placing antenna as far away from people as possible.
Moreover, he asked them to use light camouflage over the antenna to prevent visual detection. Watch this space for the latest Russia vs Ukraine news.
