Ukraine says Russia buying Starlink terminals in 'Arab countries'
Russian forces are buying Starlink satellite internet terminals in "Arab countries" for use on the battlefield, Ukraine's military spy agency said on Tuesday.
![](/var/site/storage/images/_aliases/i1320/7/0/4/3/53407-1-eng-GB/11a8c1542446-KONO.jpg)
On Monday, GUR spokesman Andriy Yusov told Reuters that Russian forces were purchasing the terminals through unspecified third countries © Mena Today
Russian forces are buying Starlink satellite internet terminals in "Arab countries" for use on the battlefield, Ukraine's military spy agency said on Tuesday.
The Elon Musk-owned service has been vital to Kyiv's battlefield communications, but Ukrainian officials have said Russian forces are also increasingly relying on it during their nearly two-year-old invasion.
The defence ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) released what it said was an audio intercept of two Russian soldiers discussing buying units from Arab providers for around 200,000 roubles ($2,200) each.
"The aggressor state Russia is purchasing communications equipment, including Starlink satellite Internet terminals, for use in the war in Arab countries," the ministry said on Telegram.
On Monday, GUR spokesman Andriy Yusov told Reuters that Russian forces were purchasing the terminals through unspecified third countries.
Starlink has said it does not do business with Russia or operate on Russian territory. The Kremlin said the terminals were neither certified for use in, nor officially supplied to, Russia, and therefore could not be used.
Reporting by Dan Peleschuk
Related
Politics
China stops short of Africa debt relief as pledges more cash
China stopped short of providing the debt relief sought by many African countries this week, but pledged 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) over three years in credit lines and investments.
Hamas
War crimes court ends proceedings against late Hamas leader Haniyeh
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Friday it had terminated proceedings against late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following his death in July.
Subscribe to our newsletter
![Mena banner 4](/var/site/storage/images/_aliases/i1920/6/5/3/5/25356-1-eng-GB/6ad058a539fc-LIF.jpg)