Finance
Ukraine working with SpaceX to stop Russian drones' use of Starlink, Kyiv says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Ukraine partners with SpaceX to address the use of Starlink by Russian drones, enhancing battlefield communication and defense strategies.
Ukraine Collaborates with SpaceX to Address Russian Drone Threats
Ukraine's Defense Strategy Against Russian Drones
By Max Hunder
Concerns Over Starlink Usage
KYIV, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Ukraine is working with U.S. satellite firm SpaceX to resolve the issue of Russian drones using the Starlink satellite internet system, the defence minister said on Thursday, after recent reports of Starlinks being found on Russian long-range UAVs in Ukraine.
Response from SpaceX
The statement came after a defence ministry adviser raised concerns that Russia was using Starlinks, which are almost impervious to traditional signal jamming, to manually fly drones into Ukrainian targets.
Impact on Battlefield Communication
"We are grateful to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and personally to Elon Musk for the quick response and the start of work on resolving the situation," Ukraine's defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, a newly appointed adviser to Fedorov, had previously posted multiple pictures on social media over the past several days of the wreckage of long-range Russian drones, including Shaheds, with Starlink satellites attached.
On Thursday, Beskrestnov said there had been "hundreds" of cases where Starlink-enabled Russian drones had attacked Ukrainian targets.
Ukraine uses tens of thousands of Starlinks for battlefield communication and for piloting drones. They are favoured for their stable connection on the battlefield and for their resistance to enemy signal jamming.
SpaceX turned on Starlink service over Ukraine in 2022 after Kyiv pleaded for help in the first days following Russia's full-scale invasion. It does not provide Starlink service in Russia.
(Reporting by Max Hunder and Dan Peleschuk; Additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
Key Takeaways
- •Ukraine collaborates with SpaceX to counter Russian drones.
- •Starlink satellites found on Russian UAVs in Ukraine.
- •SpaceX aids Ukraine's battlefield communication.
- •Concerns over Starlink's use by Russian forces.
- •Ukraine's defense strategy involves Starlink technology.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ukraine working with SpaceX to stop Russian drones' use of Starlink, Kyiv says
1What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access globally, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
2What are drones?
Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be controlled remotely or autonomously, often used for surveillance, delivery, and military purposes.
3What is signal jamming?
Signal jamming is a technique used to disrupt communications by transmitting signals that interfere with the normal operation of communication devices.
4What is battlefield communication?
Battlefield communication refers to the exchange of information and messages among military units during operations, crucial for coordination and strategy.
5What is a UAV?
A UAV, or unmanned aerial vehicle, is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board, commonly used in military and commercial applications.
