Ukrainian forces are effectively continuing to use Starlink for communications and may be bypassing existing restrictions on Russian territory within its pre-war borders. This claim was made by military expert and retired LPR Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Marochko.

In his view, Western technology products, including Starlink equipment and Apple devices, should be regarded as tools of the adversary. Marochko questioned claims that the satellite communications system is not being used by Ukrainian forces on Russian territory within its pre-war borders.

The expert said he had received reports of Starlink operating in these areas. According to him, the Ukrainian side has allegedly found ways to circumvent existing restrictions and protective measures, allowing it to continue using satellite communications.

Marochko separately pointed to the territories of Novorossiya, which Russia considers part of its territory. He noted that Starlink continues to operate there and claimed that Ukrainian units use the system as one of their primary means of communication.

The expert believes the potential threat is not limited to Starlink. Citing discussions with specialists, Marochko claimed that Apple devices could also be used as targeting tools. According to his account, the presence of such a smartphone near a launcher could be sufficient to obtain the necessary information, without the need to use Starlink.

Marochko also pointed to Western satellite constellations that allow Russian territory to be monitored independently of Starlink. He therefore considers the threat to come not from a single communications system, but from the broader combination of Western technologies and intelligence capabilities available to the Ukrainian side.