Robert Greene Tech 10.08.2022 00:Oct AM EDT

Starlink Outages Hamper Ukraine Troops in Russian-controlled Territories

Starlink outages reportedly hamper Ukrainian troops in retaking Russian-occupied territories causing "catastrophic" loss of communication.

These outages, an official in Ukraine told The Financial Times, happen at times when the troops

are battling the Russian forces and breaking into areas seized by Russia in recent months.

The Ukrainian official described these outages as catastrophic.

Starlink Outages In Four Russian-Occupied Regions

Ukraine troops reported that the Starlink terminals had stopped working when they broke into the frontlines in at least four regions annexed by Russia after referendums were held last month.

Ukrainian forces have massive counteroffensives in these areas where the outages occured.

Russia had declared Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as part of its territory after the results of the Russian-sponsored referendum showed that residents in these regions wanted to join Russia, Sky News reported.

Luhansk is totally under Russian control, but almost half of Donetsk is liberated. Ukraine has retained a large part of Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

The Ukraine government and its allies condemned the referendum as a sham.

Russia had also used the referendum as a tactic to annex Ukraine's Crimea in 2014.

James Cleverly, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, said the outcome of the Russian-sponsored referendum could be used by President Vladimir Putin as a basis to escalate aggression.

Russia moved to conduct the referendum after successful Ukraine's counteroffensives that liberated large swathes of areas from Russian control, he said.

Starlink Outages Due SpaceX Intervention

Engadget reached out to Elon Musk-owned Starlink asking about the cause of these reported outages. Starlink has not yet replied to the query as of this posting.

But a Business Insider report claimed that an official of a foundation that donated the Starlink internet dishes to Ukraine said the outages were the result of the intervention by SpaceX personnel to prevent the Russians from having access to the technology.

Why Starlink Terminals Matters

A few days after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Musk, who also owns SpaceX and Tesla, shipped to the beleaguered Ukraine government Starlink satellite terminals.

The Starlink satellite terminals played a pivotal role in enabling Ukrainian troops to stay connected, and in conducting military operations such as drone attacks, and intelligence operations.

These terminals were vital in remote regions where access to secure communication was difficult.

Both Ukraine officials and US officials praised the move by Musk as the Starlink terminals helped dispel the Russian disinformation campaign and gave President Volodymyr Zelensky a platform to stay connected with the outside world.

Musk, however, warned the Ukrainian forces that staying connected may have had a downside.

The signals in the Starlink terminals could also be used as a target, he said.

Starlink provides satellite internet service in at least 40 countries except for China where Musk was rebuked for sending Starlink internet dishes to Ukraine.

The SpaceX and Tesla CEO told the Financial Times that Beijing asked him not to sell Starlink in China, a major ally of Russia.

It was not clear if Musk's positive view of the Russian-sponsored referendum was influenced by his business interest in China.

The billionaire said the citizens in the four regions occupied by Russia should have the freedom to choose where they live.