SpaceX and Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is also developing a satellite-based internet service provider known as Starlink, issued an important update for Ukrainians who are using his system after he turned it on for them following Russia’s invasion last week.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
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
“Turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna away as far away from people as possible,” he noted further, adding: “Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection.”
Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection
— Elon Musk
Musk’s warning means it is likely Russian forces are using signal-location technology to target Ukrainian communications.
Musk said late Saturday that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service was now available in Ukraine with more terminals en route to the country.
His response came following a request on Twitter from Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, who tweeted: “, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk responded. “More terminals en route.”
“Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis,” the company says. “Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet.”
“Starlink is ideally suited for areas where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable,” the company added. “People across the globe are using Starlink to gain access to education, health services and even communications support during natural disasters.”