Ukraine confirms Russia is buying Starlink kit
February 15, 2024
By Chris Forrester
Authorities in Ukraine have confirmed that Russian military forces are buying Starlink equipment from “Arab countries”, according to a Reuters report.
It had previously been reported that Dubai in the UAE was a source of supply for equipment going to Russia.
Ukraine’s defence ministry’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released what it said was an audio intercept of two Russian soldiers discussing buying units from Arab providers for around 200,000 roubles ($2,200) each unit. “The aggressor state Russia is purchasing communications equipment, including Starlink satellite Internet terminals, for use in the war in Arab countries,” the ministry said on the Telegram social media site.
Starlink has stressed that it does not do business with Russia or operate on Russian territory. The Kremlin said the terminals were neither certified for use in, nor officially supplied to, Russia, and therefore could not be used.