399
Russia is using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite devices in Ukraine, sources say (www.defenseone.com)
submitted 2 years ago by [M, B] to c/technology@lemmy.world
70 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Russia is using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite devices in Ukraine, sources say::undefined

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 89 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

It's not real war profiteering if you don't sell to both sides, dummy.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Indeed, what amateurs thought noble intentions paid for superyachts.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago*

    It would be strange if he still needed more after he scammed Tesla investors into giving him a $50 Bn USD bonus, setting a new record for pay disparity between CEO and average worker.

    I wonder if they've got something else on him?

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Not even the article you didn't read implies SpaceX is selling these to Russia. This tech falls under US sanctions to Russia. Starlink is not enabled there. Hell, it's not even enabled on Crimea as was demonstrated by the failed Ukrainian drone boat assault there.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
    • [–] 36 points 2 years ago (7 children)

    Is this a surprise?

    It's not exactly easy to tell from a satellite if it's a Russian or Ukrainian operator.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 9 child comments
    •
  • [–] 68 points 2 years ago (12 children)

    I'm confused. Do you think starlink is free to access? You have to have authentication to use it, spacex is allowing russia to use it.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 15 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago* (2 children)

    I’m curious, how do you think Starlink can tell the difference between a Ukrainian and a Russian?

    Are you under the impression that Russia is signing up for service transparently? The devices aren’t sold in Russia, and won’t even work within Russia. Meaning they were likely bought through a proxy using aliases, and set up in Ukraine.

    At that point, you cant tell the difference. It’s just data, which can also be easily encrypted and proxied to mask the fact that they are being used for military purposes.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago* (3 children)

    It’s just data, which can also be easily encrypted and proxied to mask the fact that they are being used for military purposes.

    It's not though. The data goes both ways. As long as the device id was not altered, its history of movement can be tracked down, provided such a data is being recorded.

    Also, there may be caveats about how accounts are getting created and activated. Those devices bought by Russia may come with pre-activated accounts that can be tracked by origin.

    Finally, billing. Unless Russia is not relying on stolen Ukrainian credit cards it should be easy to identify that a group of devices/accounts is being paid for by entities that are neither Russian nor Ukrainian.

    Based on all of that, they could filter groups of devices by location, confirm it with Ukrainian forces and ban maliciously used ones.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago (22 children)

    Russia has operatives worldwide. Just like every other country with any sort of intelligence agency. The idea that they aren’t able to come up with a credit card with a Ukrainian name that looks 100% legitimate to a billing company is farcical.

    Let me just ask you point blank, do you think the CIA could manage to purchase a Starlink, activate it, and use it, without anyone having any idea it was the CIA that did all that? Because if so, it’s just as easy for Russia to do it.

    Hell, I could likely do it.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 22 child comments
    •
    load more comments (22 replies)
    • load more comments (1 reply)
    • load more comments (9 replies)
    • load more comments (5 replies)
    [–] 30 points 2 years ago (8 children)

    Well, Elon Musk is a traitor, bigot and fascist, so this makes sense. I would not be surprised if he is sharing sensitive Ukrainian data with the Russians as Ukrainians also use Starlink.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 8 child comments
    •
    load more comments (8 replies)
    [–] 21 points 2 years ago

    Can't wait for all of the concerned users to start screaming about ITAR...any second now.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 9 points 2 years ago

    I can see that the supplier has his balls in Russia'a vise grips from that fucking hellsite he "bought"

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 6 points 2 years ago

    Musk is an ass, but there's way too many possible explanations and insufficient information to be throwing accusations around right now.

    The CIA should definitely be looking into this, though.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 5 points 2 years ago

    Just giving Elon the benefit of a doubt. Perhaps the Russian's might have taken over a region and the equipment was not taken during the evacuation. Who knows if this starlink device is even operational.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    load more comments
    view more: next ›