In recent months, there have been reports of the use of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet, by Russian militants on Ukrainian territory. This information, disclosed by The Wall Street Journal, sheds light on some unexpected aspects of technology use in times of war.
While Russia officially prohibits the use of Starlink, numerous intermediaries have emerged purchasing terminals for users and sending them to Russian forces. This could significantly undermine the advantage previously enjoyed by Ukrainian troops, who also relied on modern devices.
A Moscow-based seller mentioned that most of his orders come from “new territories” – the occupied parts of Ukraine – or “for military use.” Volunteers deliver equipment to Russian soldiers in Ukrainian territory to provide them with internet access.
According to Elon Musk, he has no evidence that even a single terminal was directly or indirectly sold to Russia, claiming that the terminals will not work on Russian territory. However, this raises some doubts, as evidence at the local level indicates otherwise. Moreover, modern means allow pinpointing the location of the equipment.
This story illustrates the importance of carefully controlling technologies in the context of global conflicts. Undoubtedly, innovations like Starlink have great potential for good, but they can also be exploited for abuse and manipulation, necessitating careful regulation and international cooperation.