Russia connects drones to Starlink: Expert “Flash” warns of critical risk

The use of Starlink-connected drones by Russian forces allows real-time control of the aircraft, creating a critical danger, as it allows the enemy to control the aircraft in real time.

Serhii Beskrestnov, an electronic warfare specialist known by the call sign “Flash” and an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, issued the warning in comments to Radio NV.

Threat scales up from “Molniya” drones to fuel-powered UAVs

Satellite communications were previously observed mainly on “Molniya”-type drones, but Russia is now testing heavier platforms, the expert said, including fuel-powered BM-35 UAVs with a range of up to 500 km.

“Imagine Russia being able to control “Shahed” drones online, to operate any strike UAV and fly them wherever it wants. It is effectively a large FPV drone controlled in real time by an operator based in Russia,” Beskrestnov said.

Administrative measures and roaming restrictions

The problem cannot be solved by technical means alone, the expert said, prompting a call for strict administrative controls involving SpaceX and the governments of the United States and Ukraine. He proposes verifying every Starlink terminal operating in Ukrainian airspace.

“Only our Starlink terminals should operate on our territory. To achieve this, we need to create a register of all terminals used by the defense forces and volunteers, transfer them for servicing to an official dealer in Ukraine, and route all new connections exclusively through that channel. This way, we will know exactly what is operating here, and all Starlink terminals purchased in other countries will simply not function on Ukrainian territory,” the expert explained.

Alongside diplomatic pressure and roaming restrictions for unauthorized devices, he also called for the introduction of early-warning systems to detect terminals mounted on UAVs and for greater use of interceptor drones to counter them.