06:38 20-05-2026

Russia Has Grounds to Counter Starlink, Expert Says

Yury Knutov says Russia has legal grounds to counter Starlink if the system is used by Ukraine in strikes on civilians inside Russia.

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Air defense expert Yury Knutov said Russia has legal grounds to counter the Starlink satellite constellation if it is used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in strikes on civilian facilities inside Russia.

According to Knutov, attacks on civilian sites using technologies provided by Elon Musk raise the issue of the American billionaire’s responsibility. He believes that if the Starlink satellite system helps the Ukrainian side strike Russian civilians, then this infrastructure becomes a threat to the country’s population.

The expert stressed that in this case Russia must counter Starlink satellites because the issue concerns the protection of ordinary citizens. In his assessment, if these technologies are used for attacks on civilians, they cease to be a neutral communications tool and become an element involved in carrying out strikes.

Knutov said Russia is obliged to act against such satellites in order to protect its citizens from attacks. He also sharply characterized Elon Musk’s role, saying that if Starlink is used by Ukraine against civilians, Musk becomes an accomplice in actions that lead to people’s deaths.