If Putin’s troops use Starlink, does that mean they have Musk’s approval?
Has there been a reaction from Starlink or Elon Musk on the use of Starlink in Russian drones? Can’t Elon Musk simply unplug Starlink for Russia as he threatened to do for Ukraine if it didn’t pay more? And if he does nothing, isn’t he exposed to prosecution for violating sanctions against Russia?
The first reports of the use of Starlink, the satellite network developed by the company SpaceX and which provides high-speed Internet access around the world, date back to early 2024. Although the service is not officially available in Russia, the Pentagon has admitted that Russia’s use of Starlink would constitute a “permanent problem” a Ukraine.
Russia effectively continues to obtain Starlink terminals by circumventing Western sanctions, thanks to a network of parallel imports passing in particular through the United Arab Emirates, Europe and Hong Kong, according to an investigation published in early January by the group of independent researchers Nordsint.
According to this investigation, Russian companies imported Starlink equipment throughout 2025 by passing it through foreign logistics companies and using false or inaccurate customs declarations. The terminals are then activated with subscription accounts registered in third countries. These Starlink systems are now integrated into drones, allowing them to resist electronic countermeasures and carry out precision strikes.
The United Arab Emirates, particularly the Emirate of Shardja, is emerging as a key logistics hub, with shipments linked to the Emaross Group FZE company. Other documents point to intermediaries based in Hong Kong. Several Russian declarations of conformity mention manufacturers or addresses that do not correspond to SpaceX, manufacturer of the Starlink system.
SpaceX has reaffirmed that it does not provide “neither directly nor indirectly” of Starlink terminals to Russia. Companies cited in the investigation, including Castor Marine and Emaross Group, denied any voluntary involvement and assured that they respected international sanctions regimes, citing identity abuse or misappropriation of their logistics services.
Despite these denials, investigators believe that Russian access to Starlink equipment continues through the black market and opaque commercial channels, strengthening Russian military capabilities despite Western sanctions.
Jean-Luc