forces are looking for ways to prevent the shutdown of Starlink terminals mounted on drones attacking Ukraine. Right now, the satellite internet modules stop working after a drone exceeds a speed of 90 km/h.
According to a Russian channel run by a developer of unmanned systems, the drone must exceed the 90 km/h threshold - after which a Starlink terminal “dies” - for two minutes. Only then is the American equipment blocked, and it returns to operation after a reboot.
Russian commentators say a modern guidance and correction module could steer the drone to its target and switch Starlink back on for two minutes only at the final stage.
They also do not rule out other control scenarios, including hacking antennas and similar methods.
Ukraine, together with Starlink, will soon roll out a system that allows only authorized terminals to operate in the country, according to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. He warned that unauthorized terminals will be disconnected.
The registration process will be simple, fast and convenient for users, Fedorov said, adding that Starlink will publish detailed instructions in the near future.
On January 24, Russia’s armed forces, during another attack, for the first time used upgraded Shahed strike drones equipped with Starlink satellite communications.
A few days later, it emerged that the enemy is using Molniya drones with Starlink, reaching 50 km beyond the front line. In particular, Russian forces used drones near the E50 highway by the city of Pavlohrad, detonating vehicles belonging to civilians and the military.
After Russia deployed drones with Starlink terminals, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appealed to SpaceX owner Elon Musk to resolve the Shahed drones’ access to satellite communications. Musk replied he would be happy to help.
After that, the American company SpaceX apparently restricted the use of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine. The connection is cut if a modem moves faster than 90 km/h, which practically makes its use on UAVs impossible.
