Days after SpaceX sent Starlink internet terminals to Ukraine, Elon Musk is warning people there to “please use caution.” As a non-Russian communications system, the Starlink satellite internet service has a “high” chance of being targeted during the ongoing Russian invasion, Musk said.
The SpaceX founder and CEO advised users to only turn on Starlink when needed and to place the antenna as far away from people as possible. He also suggested visibly camouflaged antennas.
Some cyber experts have warned that satellite communications systems can put users at risk, particularly given Russia's extensive experience targeting satellites.
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab, noted on Twitter last weekend that "if #Putin controls the air over #Ukraine, users' uplink transmissions become beacons... for airstrikes.".
Additionally, US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Director Christopher Scolese recently warned that the Russian military could target satellites to disrupt satellite- based internet traffic, communications and GPS services . Scolese said that if Russia feels it needs to, it will expand its war into space.
While using satellite communications carries serious risks, it avoids the problems that arise from conventional landline broadband. NetBlocks told ZDNet that connectivity in Ukraine has dropped by 20% since the start of the conflict, following an increase in Russian bombing campaigns and missiles.
Information source: zdnet.com
