Elon Musk's efforts to stop Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks have delivered real results, a Ukrainian official said. Praising the SpaceX founder as a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people, defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov noted that Musk responded promptly to reports of Russian drones relying on Starlink connectivity for their operations. These drones have been implicated in recent attacks, including one targeting a passenger train that resulted in six fatalities. Musk indicated satisfaction with the steps taken to curb unauthorized Starlink use by Russia and invited further suggestions for action.

Starlink, which offers high-speed internet globally, has been operational in Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Russian drones, notably the low-altitude Molniya-2 kamikaze drones, have gained battlefield efficiency when equipped with Starlink, as stated by military analysts. In response, SpaceX has reportedly imposed a speed limit of 75 kph on connected terminals in Ukraine, making it difficult for Russian operators to manage the drones effectively.

Fedorov also announced plans for a whitelist system to regulate authorized Starlink devices in Ukraine, adding that unregistered terminals would be disabled. This strategy is expected to mitigate the operational capabilities of Russian drones while ensuring that vital communications remain intact.

Musk's relationship with Ukraine has seen ups and downs since initial communications began in early 2022. Following a turbulent period of denied access to Starlink during previous military operations, Fedorov remains optimistic, praising Musk for the critical support that has provided significant stability to Ukraine’s communications and military operations during the conflict.