Although Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said that Russians were utilizing the technology in occupied regions of the country, SpaceX co-founder Elon Musk has refuted claims that his company’s satellite-based internet technology, Starlink, has been sold to Russia.
According to several false news stories, SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia.
“It is untrue. No Starlinks have, as far as we are aware, been sold to Russia either directly or indirectly,” Musk wrote on X on Monday. However, the source stated that discussions with possible investors are focused on pricing SpaceX shares at $85 apiece, which is more than the split-adjusted $70 per share that was obtained earlier this year.
Ukraine’s claims
Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Main Directorate of Intelligence in the Ukrainian military ministry, said that Russian use of the technology was “beginning to take on a systemic nature,” as Reuters reported on Sunday. Additionally, Starlink emphasized last week that neither its service nor any of its operational terminals are available in Russia. To further address claims that Russia was obtaining its Starlink equipment through Dubai, Starlink stated that it has not granted permission to any third-party middlemen, resellers, or distributors of any type to sell Starlink in Dubai.
Starlink stated on its post that any terminals being used by illegal individuals might be deleted after an inquiry, but it did not address the situation of Starlink terminals in portions of Ukraine that are under Russian occupation. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Musk sent thousands of Starlink internet terminals to the beleaguered nation, but he restricted their use to specific regions, angering critics.
Russian Army too declines the claims
On Monday, the Russian government denied allegations made by Ukraine that its soldiers fighting on the front lines were using Starlink internet terminals. Moscow is allegedly “smuggling” the terminals into Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s GUR military intelligence service, which claimed to have proof that Russian forces were using them “systematically.”
Why controversy around Starlink?
A network of satellites in low Earth orbit called Starlink, which is owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, can deliver internet service to isolated areas or places where regular communications infrastructure has been damaged.
The allegations against Musk come in light of Musk recently criticizing US financing to Ukraine during a live session on X, previously known as Twitter.
“My companies have probably done more to undermine Russia than anything,” Musk remarked.
Elon Musk denies any involvement in the Starlink sale
Elon Musk has denied that SpaceX has sold Starlink terminals to Russia, stating that the reports are false. SpaceX has denied any direct or indirect sales of Starlink terminals to Russia, and Musk also stated that Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia. This comes in response to media outlets and Ukraine’s military intelligence agency reporting that Russia uses Starlink terminals on the front line in Ukraine.
Also, SpaceX’s Elon Musk has denied false reports that the company is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. He stated that no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia. Musk also stated that Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia. Both HUR and media reports suggest that Russian forces connected Starlink in occupied Ukraine, not on Russian territory. An intercepted phone call from Russia’s 83rd Assault Brigade reportedly showed Russian soldiers discussing successfully setting up a Starlink terminal.
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