Pentagon, SpaceX Struggle to Stop Russia's Starlink Use

The Pentagon is intensifying its efforts with SpaceX to counteract the illicit acquisition and utilization of Starlink satellite internet terminals by Russian forces, which poses a threat to Ukrainian military operations, according to recent testimonies from US defense officials.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on May 21, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned John Hill, the Pentagon's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Missile Defense, about SpaceX’s cooperation in ensuring that Starlink terminals do not fall into Russian hands through black market channels. Hill confirmed that SpaceX has been cooperative and proactive in identifying and disabling these terminals.

Despite the Pentagon and SpaceX’s efforts to disable terminals used by Russian forces, the issue with the black market remains a continuous struggle. Hill described the situation as a "cat-and-mouse game," acknowledging that while they can turn off identified terminals, Russia persistently acquires new ones.

"I think we can continue to identify them or turn them off, but I think Russia will not stop trying to obtain more terminals illicitly," Hill remarked.

Senator Warren expressed concern about the implications of Russian forces using Starlink terminals, noting that their secure communication capabilities would significantly undermine Ukraine’s battlefield advantage. "Russia’s outdated communications have been a major contributor to their failures in Ukraine," she said. 

Hill mentioned that much of the intelligence on Russian use of Starlink comes from SpaceX through the US Space Command’s commercial integration cell, which comprises various commercial satellite companies working with the US government. This collaborative effort allows for the sharing of proprietary and classified information, aiding in the strategic identification and disabling of the illicit terminals.

"SpaceX complies with our contracts and the licenses they have from regulatory entities who can enforce those licenses," Hill assured.

The issue of unauthorized Starlink terminals is not limited to Russia. Reports have indicated that other US adversaries and war criminals in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia have also obtained these terminals. 

"Congress has a constitutional responsibility to make sure that taxpayer money does not go to companies that undermine US national security goals," Warren asserted during the hearing.