«In a number of false news reports, it is claimed that Starlink terminals are being sold to Russia. This is categorically untrue. As far as we know, no Starlink terminals have been sold to Russia directly or indirectly,» Musk wrote, adding in the comments to his post: «Even if he called me a smart person, I would not give him Starlink terminals.»
Elon Musk did not directly answer the question of whether Russia can use Starlink terminals purchased through intermediaries.
Ukraine: Russian military using Starlink
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated on February 11 that Russian troops are using Starlink in the combat zone, publishing fragments of intercepted conversations of Russian military as evidence. Publications Defense One and Astra reported that Starlink terminals could have been supplied to Russia through Dubai.
Last year, SpaceX prohibited Ukrainian military from using Starlink for offensive purposes, including drone control.
In a biography of Musk written by Walter Isaacson, it was claimed that in 2022 Elon Musk secretly ordered the Starlink satellites to be shut down near the coast of annexed Crimea to thwart an attack on the Russian Navy. In response, Musk stated that Starlink does not operate in Crimea, and he refused to turn it on at the request of Ukrainian military, as he could not allow his company to be «directly involved in war and escalation of the conflict.»