Defense Department working with SpaceX to disable Starlink terminals obtained by Russia and other U.S. foes

SOURCE rollcall.com
The Defense Department is working with SpaceX to disable Starlink terminals obtained by Russia and other U.S. foes to aid their operations, causing disruptions in service for Ukrainians. The Pentagon is actively trying to shut down these terminals but is facing challenges in completely stopping the illicit use.

Key Points

  • SpaceX terminals obtained by Russia and other U.S. foes are being used to aid operations.
  • Pentagon is working to find and disable these illicit Starlink terminals.
  • The issue is ongoing and challenging to completely address.

Pros

  • SpaceX's Starlink terminals helped Ukrainian forces communicate during the 2022 invasion.
  • Pentagon is actively trying to shut down the illicit use of Starlink terminals by Russia and other U.S. foes.

Cons

  • Thousands of Starlink terminals have migrated to the black market, aiding Russia and other U.S. foes in their operations.
  • Russia's use of the system has disrupted service for Ukrainians.