Ukraine says Russian forces are using SpaceX satellite communications | NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Ukraine claims that Russian forces in the country are using satellite communication devices produced by SpaceX, a space technology company led by entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The military intelligence agency of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry released a statement on Sunday about the use of Starlink satellite internet services.

It says the terminals are being used by a Russian air assault brigade in the partially-occupied eastern region of Donetsk.

The agency says that there have been recorded cases of the devices being used by Russian forces, and it is starting to become systemic.

In a social media post, Musk said no Starlink systems have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.

The devices have been vital to Ukraine in the fight against Russia, especially for detecting Russian drones when domestic communications are disrupted.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing large-scale drone attacks across Ukraine. Ukraine’s Air Force says Russia launched 17 Iranian-made drones and missiles on Monday into Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine and Mykolaiv in the south. Ukraine says it shot down 14 drones and one missile.

On Sunday, Ukraine reported that Russia attacked Kyiv and other regions using 45 drones. Ukraine also said Russian drone attacks from late Friday to early Saturday struck residential areas in Kharkiv, killing seven people including three children.