Elon Musk is being hailed as ‘Colonel Muskov’ in Russia after claims Putin’s forces are using his Starlink system to support the Ukrainian invasion

Russian pro-war fanatics have dubbed Elon Musk ‘Colonel Elon Muskov’ amid claims that his Starlink satellite system is being deployed by Vladimir Putin’s forces in occupied Ukraine.

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.”

The technology has played a key role in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but it is believed to be geofenced so they cannot operate in unauthorized countries, including Russia.

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.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022

A Ukrainian soldier from an artillery unit fires at Russian positions outside Bakhmut

Vladimir Putin’s forces (photo) are said to have used Starlink satellites

It appears to be operating in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions of occupied Ukraine, providing a decisive military advantage to Putin’s forces.

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 that are in authorized regions but have since been taken over by invading forces.

It has also been suggested that the UAE terminals were bought under the table.

The pre-war Two Majors approvingly referred to 52-year-old X owner Musk as Colonel Muskov.

The channel said: ‘(Starlink) terminals are actively bought and resold by Russian resellers.

‘The purchase is made via third countries, via front men. It is impossible to detect and cover up these plans.’

Some believe Russian forces may have ‘spoofed’ Starlink terminals

It has also been suggested that the UAE terminals were bought under the table

So far, the system has worked in Ukraine, with the exception of Crimea, as Musk wanted to prevent Kiev from targeting Russian warships

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 – believed to have pro-Russian sympathies – was praised by dictator Putin this week.

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 any business 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 any equipment to locations in Russia.”

Musk – believed to have pro-Russian sympathies – was praised by dictator Putin this week

The US military portal Defense One said the Russian had been using Starlink for several months

And in a message to This is categorically incorrect.”

It could deactivate terminals obtained without proper permits, but this would not prevent Russian forces from using them in areas of occupied Ukraine – excluding Crimea.

The US military portal Defense One said the Russian had been using Starlink for several months.

“We’re not allowed to actually enable connectivity to a sanctioned country without government approval, which we didn’t have,” Musk previously said.

“They asked us to participate in a major act of war.”