IMI source: Starlink antennas imported in Ukraine's TOT through third party countries such as Belarus

Starlink satellite antennas are being imported into Ukraine's occupied territory through third party countries, in particular through Belarus.

The Institute of Mass Information learned this from their own source in law enforcement.

The source stressed that this is not a banned or sanctioned product.

Photo: depositphotos.com

The owners of the “dishes” use Ukrainian SIM cards available in the occupied territory to create accounts.

“They are mainly used by Russian troops. There have also been cases of them getting Starlinks as battle loot. However, their use by civilians is not widespread,” the source noted.

The source added that civilians mainly use the Russian system Tricolor, which they consider an inferior equivalent of Starlink, or connect to Wi-Fi through authorities that also use Tricolor or wired Internet.

Law enforcers have said that they monitor the use of Starlink by the occupiers and pass information on to partners to have them blocked.

On January 21, the Luhansk relocated news outlet Realna Hazeta reported, citing locals, that residents of Rubizhne (Luhansk oblast) have started using Starlink because they no longer believe that the occupiers will restore the Internet network in the city.