Russian forces are buying up Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite units from Arab countries in a bid to circumvent western sanctions, Ukraine intelligence claims

Russian forces are buying Starlink satellite internet terminals from “Arab countries” for battlefield use for just over $2,000 each, Ukraine’s military spy agency said.

Elon Musk’s service has been vital to battlefield communications in Kiev, but Ukrainian officials have said Russian forces are also increasingly relying on it during their nearly two-year invasion.

The Defense Ministry’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released an audio intercept of two Russian soldiers discussing the purchase of units from Arab providers for about 200,000 rubles, the equivalent of $2,200, each.

“The aggressor state Russia is purchasing communications equipment, including Starlink satellite internet terminals, for use in the war in Arab countries,” the ministry said in Telegram.

On Monday, GUR spokesman Andriy Yusov told Reuters that Russian forces purchased the terminals through unspecified third countries.

Russian agents are reportedly using ‘middlemen’ in Dubai to gain control of the terminals.

An audio clip released by Ukrainian intelligence reportedly shows two Russian soldiers talking about taking control of the terminals.

Ukrainian soldiers check their tank after maintenance not far from Bakhmut in the Donetsk region on February 5

Musk has said there have been no official sales between his company and Russian forces

‘Can I order a Starlink for you? And you’ll have a damn good connection. Dude, you need a Starlink.”

The stated price 200,000 rubles. One soldier points to someone named Oboz who can get his hands on the terminals. “The Arabs bring us everything: wires, Wi-Fi, routers,” he says.

Starlink has said it does not do business with Russia and does not operate on Russian soil. The Kremlin said the terminals were not certified for use in, nor officially delivered to, Russia, and therefore could not be used.

Kyiv said on Sunday that the SpaceX communications device was used by Russian forces in the invasion of Ukraine, with a military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov calls the problem ‘systemic’.

He said: ‘Cases of use of these devices by Russian occupiers have been recorded. This is becoming systemic.”

But Russia’s 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade is among those using the service around the Klishchiivka and Andriivka battlefields, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency GUR said.

A Ukrainian soldier sets up Starlink satellite equipment

Some believe Russian forces have been able to ‘spoof’ Starlink terminals, making it appear as if it is operating in authorized regions

Some believe that Russian forces have been able to “spoof” Starlink terminals, making it appear as if it is operating in authorized regions.

Others theorize that Russian soldiers may have stolen terminals from Ukrainian areas located in the recognized regions but have since been taken over by invading forces.

So far, the system has operated in Ukraine, with the exception of Crimea, as Musk wanted to prevent Kiev from targeting Russian warships and use the terminals for humanitarian rather than military purposes.

Musk was praised this week by dictator Putin.

The American technology magnate called for an end to American economic support for Ukraine during the war with Russia.

Musk stated, “It’s time to stop the meat grinder… that should have been done a year ago.”

SpaceX said it “does not do business in any way with the Russian government or its military.”

The company said: ‘Starlink does not operate in Russia, meaning the service will not work in that country.

“SpaceX has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia.”