Russia installs Starlink on Shahed drones: Defense Express named purpose of upgrade
Illustrative photo: Starlink installed on Shahed drones (Getty Images)
Russia has equipped the Shahed kamikaze drones with Starlink satellite communication. This will allow the enemy to use the drones for reconnaissance as well, according to Defense Express and Andrii Kovalensky, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, on Telegram.
The news agency claims that one of the drones launched by the Russian forces at Ukraine last night was equipped with Starlink. It was shot down by Ukrainian defenders.
Journalists showcased relevant photos showing the satellite antenna, which still bears a serial number that will help trace how the terminal ended up in Russia.
Photo: Debris of the Starlink that was installed on the Shahed (defence-ua.com)
Photo: Debris of the Starlink that was installed on the Shahed (defence-ua.com)
Photo: Debris of the Starlink that was installed on the Shahed (defence-ua.com)
According to Defense Express, the Russian forces have gained a wide and powerful feedback channel with the drone, allowing them to transmit information from it and change its flight task at any distance. Thus, the Shahed has transformed into a reconnaissance tool.
In particular, the enemy will be able to relay information about the positions of Ukrainian air defense systems. If the drone is also equipped with cameras, it will be able to strike moving targets.
The source also explained that the Russian army decided to place Starlink specifically on the Shaheds because the drone can fly at a distance of about 2,000 kilometers and has ample space inside the fuselage.
Response from the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD)
The head of the CCD, Kovalenko, noted that the information about the Shaheds confirms that the Russian forces are using them as reconnaissance drones for long distances.
"They are used for strikes as well, but individual incursions of the Shaheds are primarily conducted for reconnaissance purposes," he clarified.
What preceded this
On the night of September 25, Russian forces launched 32 Shahed drones at Ukraine.
Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down 28 of the enemy's strike drones. Four more drones were locationally lost in several regions of Ukraine.
