Russian Officer Details Ukraine’s Use of Starlink Drone Relays

Ukraine Uses Starlink Relays to Extend FPV Drone Range

05:39 06-08-2026

Ukrainian forces mostly use Starlink-equipped quadcopters as relays to extend FPV drone range, while direct terminal use remains rare, a Russian officer says.

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Ukrainian forces rarely mount Starlink satellite internet terminals directly on FPV drones, according to the head of an electronic warfare unit in Russia’s 51st Guards Combined Arms Army. Instead, Starlink-equipped quadcopters are mainly deployed as communication relays to extend the operating range of attack drones.

The officer, who uses the call sign Shum and serves with the Tsentr troop grouping, told RIA Novosti that cases involving Starlink terminals installed on FPV drones had been recorded but remained isolated.

During the fighting for Krasnoyarskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, electronic warfare crews from the 51st Army jammed dozens of Ukrainian attack drones each day, he said.

Ukrainian forces sometimes launched between 50 and 70 FPV drones within a 24-hour period. According to Shum, Russian electronic warfare systems countered the attacks and allowed assault units to continue their advance.

The officer described electronic warfare as one of the main tools used against unmanned aircraft. He said Russian EW units were focused on reducing the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone operations and supporting the advance of Russian forces.