UKR: Why Ukraine cut off Starlink-aided Russian drones

Presented by Kela

BLUF: Russian forces copied Ukraine’s approach to using Starlink on drones, cheating their way to stable long-distance communication, command and control, and higher EW resistance. 

The danger it posed led Ukraine’s Defense Ministry to pull the rug out from under the Russians and have SpaceX deactivate any Starlink terminals not registered with the Ukrainian government. 

17 new members of the Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control have been appointed. They review export control permit applications. Names below.

Ukrainian drone manufacturers General Cherry and Defense Drones Tech Corp have been chosen to test their integrated system solution under the U.S. Drone Dominance Program

The tactical radio manufacturer HIMERA has shared the results of field testing conducted in the U.S., confirming the systems can be integrated into NATO operational frameworks.

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The Ukrainian army began actively using Starlink on drones in 2022. 

This modification provides a significant advantage for controlling UAVs, ensuring stable communication and allowing operations beyond the radio horizon.

Manufacturers integrate Starlink into drones at the request of the military, or they can produce modified drones themselves in R&D laboratories.

Satellite communication in particular was first used on heavy attack drones like Nemesis, produced by 412th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems, which significantly increased their control range.

Units like the National Guard’s Lazar’s Group have demonstrated how Starlink-enabled drones allow Ukrainian pilots to pull off operations from safe locations far from the front line. Similar solutions were applied to marine drones, and now Starlink is increasingly being used in UGVs to enable long-distance control.

For example, in the Dzhankoi UGV from Vyriy, a Starlink is integrated into the platform, enabling long-distance control and command. It is also used in the Visluk UGV by Robotic Systems and in the Stokhid platform. 

Starlink on drones allows more control over flight altitude: it enables the drone to hide in terrain folds and carry out more complex missions with increased control.  

Unlike systems that fly along pre-programmed coordinates, a drone equipped with satellite connectivity can be controlled in real time 

This modification gives the UAV an additional internet-based communication link, which means commands can be sent to it via the internet, said Ihor Pyts of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade’s unmanned systems battalion. 

This is a tactical advantage: allowing operators to receive live video and telemetry data, and adjust the flight path during the mission. But at scale, it is also a strategic advantage, allowing many different drones to coordinate, probe for poorly-defended points, and exploit weaknesses in the enemy’s operations.

Modern autopilot and controllers support several control channels, so Starlink is used alongside traditional radio links and LTE, providing three communication channels and allowing operators to switch between them either automatically or manually while controlling the drone, said Viktor Dolgopіatov, communications specialist, chief engineer, and head of the BUREVII design bureau. 

The advantage of Starlink and LTE is that these channels can be used not only for telemetry and control, but also for transmitting video streams—sometimes even from multiple cameras at once. 

According to Dolgopiatov, in such systems, Starlink is used as the primary control channel, while LTE and radio links serve as additional ones. The system can automatically switch between channels depending on communication conditions. 

Starlink has not been operational in Russia since the full scale invasion began, and it has not been sold there. According to a Ukrainian military source, the Russians instead brought terminals in large batches through third countries and activated them on a mass scale. As a result, Starlink became part of the control system for some Russian drones, significantly complicating the work of Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

Russian forces have rapidly adapted Ukrainian tactics and tech that demonstrate effectiveness on the battlefield. As such, photos of downed Russian drones modified with Starlink have popped up on Telegram channels recently.

Those were quickly followed by Starlink terminals installed on Russian drones, particularly on Molniya and BM-35 UAVs, being frequently spotted in footage captured by Ukrainian interceptor drones. Over the past month, such cases have become more widespread. A few drones even managed to reach Kyiv almost undetected.

According to Pyts, installing Starlink on a drone is not a complex engineering task, especially since mini Starlink terminals can be found. It weighs just over 1 kilogram and measures approximately 30 by 26 centimeters.

It only requires additional mounting, a technical modem capable of connecting the UAV’s flight controller to the internet via Starlink, and the ability to operate using a Starlink connection. An additional power supply for the Starlink is also needed.

This is such a light and compact system that the only requirement for the airframe is that it can lift it, a military engineer told The Arsenal.

Starlink is also almost impossible to effectively jam from the ground, as its antennas are directed upwards—toward the satellites.

In response to the growing threats posed by the use of Starlink by Russian forces, the Ukrainian MoD introduced a ‘white list’ — a system for verifying Starlink terminals. 

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution (more details below) stipulating that only officially registered terminals will be allowed to operate in Ukraine.

For civilian users, registration is done through local administrative service centers (CNAPs), while businesses have an online registration process via the Diia portal. At the same time, for the Armed Forces, a separate secure channel is provided through the DELTA system, a Ukrainian military situational awareness system that integrates real-time battlefield data. 

These measures are expected to limit the enemy’s access to Starlink, but it is not the only satellite network in orbit, said Dolgopiatov. Its advantage lies in cost and accessibility. 

Other systems, like OneWeb or Amazon’s Project Cooper, are also developing, but their terminals and services are often much more expensive. Starlink, however, is a mass-market product that is easy to buy, register, and deploy, while providing high speeds and reliable connectivity. Chinese and Russian satellite systems cannot fully replace Starlink, as they don’t have as extensive a satellite network as SpaceX.

Russian forces quickly felt the impact of the restrictions. Russian Telegram channels reported growing complaints that, after losing access to Starlink, coordinating units and drone operations without satellite communications had become significantly more difficult.

The situation amounted to a catastrophe for Russian forces, with command and control disrupted and assault operations halted in many sectors, mentioned Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Minister of Defense on technological issues. 

In response, the Russians are trying to force the families of prisoners to register the terminals, but official registration makes it easy to identify the user, and using the terminal to carry out attacks against Ukraine can lead to criminal liability.

Now that access to Starlink for Russian units is being restricted through verification, Russia may attempt to switch to alternative communication networks, but this transition will take time and is likely to be more costly and less effective than using Starlink. 

This Sunday, President Zelenskyy announced the opening of ten export centers in Europe in 2026, with the first set to begin operations in mid-February in Berlin. 

The current system for exporting military goods remains unchanged. Three main channels are in place: direct exports for registered international transfer entities with Cabinet of Ministers’ authorization; exports through Defense City; and exports via one of the special exporters. More details can be found in our previous deep dive.

Ahead of this, Zelenskyy also signed a decree approving the membership of the Interagency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control, which reviews export applications.

The Сommission includes 17 members,  Yevhenii Ostrianskyi, first Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine was appointed chair of the commission. 

The commission also included: 

According to Umerov, the commission resumed its work today and held its first meeting in eight months. Following the meeting, Ukrainian enterprises received the first permits for the export of controlled goods.

In August 2025, HIMERA, a Ukrainian tactical radio manufacturer, conducted a two-week field experiment in the U.S. with the U.S. Air Force and Unconventional Concepts, Inc. The HIMERA G1 PRO radios and HIMERA B1 repeaters were tested in scenarios approximating NATO standards.

The tests showed that their systems adapt well to NATO standards and do not require major redesigns. “In practice, this is not about changing the product’s core, but about integration with existing allied systems, certification procedures, and adaptation to their operational processes,” a HIMERA representative told The Arsenal.

The company is working on expanding compatibility with the use of additional adapters and protocol updates, using both Ukrainian combat experience and NATO partners’ needs to shape further development.

Defense tech company Occam Industries, focused on autonomous systems for drones, raised €3 million in a pre-seed round from the venture fund Presto Tech Horizons.

The company received more funding than planned, they told The Arsenal. During the fundraising, there were challenges related to aligning regulatory and ESG requirements, but a unified group of investors and a partner in Ukraine was formed, added the company.

The company’s products were tested in field conditions in Ukraine within the Brave1 defense cluster. The biggest challenge was the severe winter climate and adapting hardware to cold conditions, while the software proved resilient, the company noted. Testing also helped improve the interface for ease of use on the frontline.

The company’s immediate plans are to scale its presence across the Ukrainian fleet and enhance its products for combat operations, with a longer-term goal of expanding into European markets.

Ukrainian drone manufacturers General Cherry and Defense Drones Tech Corp have been selected to join a list of 25 companies participating in the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Program.

The key selection criteria included the technical performance of their products, the ability to scale production, supply chain security, compliance with NDAA and cybersecurity requirements, as well as readiness to work with the U.S. military, General Cherry told The Arsenal.

The next stage will involve live trials conducted by U.S. military personnel. As part of the testing, General Cherry will present a comprehensive system solution combining reconnaissance, target detection, and engagement capabilities.

After the first phase, up to 12 participants may receive contracts to supply between 1,400 and 2,500 drones to the U.S. military

Challenger Accelerator, a startup development program that provides mentoring and support for early-stage companies, has launched the online program Challenger Bootcamp: USA Market Access for Ukrainian startups aiming to enter the U.S. market.

The six-workshop program covers product validation, sales, investor relations, marketing, and legal and financial requirements, with individual and group mentoring from Ukrainian and U.S. experts.

The idea is to give startups practical tools to test their products, prepare for U.S. market challenges, and avoid common early-stage mistakes, helping them grow faster, said Daryna Bubniuk, communications specialist at Civitta. 

Applications are open until February 17. The program is implemented by Radar Tech and Civitta with support from American Councils and the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

In over a year, we’ve accumulated more than 2,900 subscribers focused on Ukrainian battlefield innovation. This includes Western primes, defense companies, allied governments, and Ukrainian startups. Want your messaging to target this highly-sought-after demographic?

By: Oksana Zabolotna

Registering Starlink satellite communication terminals during martial law

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine №115 dated February 1, 2026

Why it’s important: This legislation ensures that Starlink terminals are officially registered and authorized for use throughout Ukraine, effectively cutting off unauthorized terminals that can be weaponized by enemy forces. 

Centralized registration and verification of terminals help reduce the risks of unauthorized use, adversary signals intelligence, and technical manipulation of network access.

Transferring terminal identifiers directly to SpaceX strengthens network-level control by the provider.

Proposals:

Stage: Entered into force on February 1.  

Initiator: The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 

What’s next: Implementation of the resolution. 

The Draco is a prototype-proven 4-seater aircraft that can take off and land in less than 30 meters. It flies three times farther than a helicopter, climbs two times faster, all while costing less than half! The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in a study that Draco was especially useful for special operations.

Draco will come with a safety backup system, assisted by AI, allowing it to fly autonomously. It can fly as a drone, fight hostile UAS, insert a special ops team, and do C4ISR missions.

They are raising $2 million now, and an additional $2.3 million towards the end of 2026, said Johannes von Thadden, co-founder & CEO of the company. The investment will allow the aircraft to be certified by EASA and FAA for civil use and to prepare for serial production. Draco Aircraft, established in Poland, was founded at the end of 2023 and already has an initial investor on board: a U.S. VC fund.