Polish Foreign Minister Thanks Elon Musk for Cutting Off Russian Military from Starlink

Russian Military Units Lose Starlink Access

According to Главком: Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has publicly thanked Elon Musk for disconnecting Russian military forces from the Starlink satellite internet service. In a post on the social media platform X, dated February 5, 2026, Sikorski wrote:

Better late than never. Thank you, Elon Musk. - Radosław Sikorski

The shutdown of Starlink terminals affected Russian military units, a development reported by Russian military bloggers. This action highlights the ongoing role of private technology companies in modern geopolitical conflicts.

Ukraine Verifies Starlink Terminals to Prevent Misuse

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that the Starlink terminals used by Russian forces have been blocked. Ukraine is conducting a large-scale verification of all Starlink equipment. The first batch of terminals on an approved 'white list' is already operational, with lists being updated daily. Civilian users must verify their devices through Administrative Service Centers (ASCs), while a verification system for legal entities is planned for launch on the 'Diia' portal.

In a related development, the Warsaw prosecutor's office has requested the temporary arrest of a Polish Ministry of National Defense employee detained on February 3. The individual is charged under Article 130(2) of the Polish Penal Code with activities on behalf of foreign intelligence services, an offense carrying a potential sentence from eight years to life imprisonment. The suspect has provided explanations to investigators. SpaceX has not issued an official comment regarding the disconnection. The case underscores the heightened security concerns among Ukraine's allies.

Denying Russian troops access to Starlink could significantly hinder their operational capabilities in the conflict in Ukraine, particularly affecting communication and battlefield coordination. Ukraine's stringent terminal verification process demonstrates active measures to secure satellite communications in a warzone. These events collectively point to the critical intersection of technology, security, and intelligence in the ongoing war.