Espreso. Global

First Russian drone equipped with Starlink downed in Ukraine – Defense Express

25 September, 2024 Wednesday
20:46

A Shahed-136 drone has been equipped with Starlink by Russia, enhancing its communication range to 2,000 km

client/title.list_title

Defense Express reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down a Russian Shahed-136 with SpaceX's satellite communication system during a recent attack, successfully intercepting 28 out of 32 drones.

Photos obtained by Defense Express reveal a satellite antenna with serial numbers that could help trace the supply channels of the Starlink terminal. It was expected that Russia would begin equipping its long-range UAVs with Starlink, especially since they had previously experimented with 4G modems using Ukrainian SIM cards.

Defense Express reports that Russia has adapted Starlink satellite communications technology to its Shahed drones, creating a robust feedback system between the UAV and its operators. This setup allows for the transmission of intelligence data and real-time mission adjustments from any distance, effectively transforming the Shahed into a powerful reconnaissance tool.

As reported by the publication, the integration of Starlink enables the drone to send back crucial information, such as radio intelligence on Ukrainian air defense positions or live images from onboard cameras. With this upgrade, the Shahed can function as a long-range loitering munition, capable of reconnaissance and striking moving targets.

“The drone's platform is well-suited for this due to its 2,000-kilometer range and ample fuselage space. This development is also linked to the manufacturing facility in Alabuga, where these drones are assembled”, Defense Express stated.

While Starlink is not sold in Russia, the country has been acquiring it through third-party nations. The U.S. is attempting to address this issue, but the problem remains unresolved. The publication stresses the urgency for Washington to act quickly, as the Starlink-equipped Shahed poses a significant threat, not only to Ukraine but also to global security, with the potential for use by rogue states and terrorist groups.

  • On the night of Saturday, September 21, Russian forces launched another attack on Ukraine, firing missiles and drones. Ukrainian defenders successfully shot down 16 Russian air targets.



 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Saturday
18 January
19:38
Exclusive
'Only another Pearl Harbor can wake up America': diplomat on Washington’s blind spot to threats
19:16
Exclusive
'Not fear of Russia, but habit of seeing Moscow as global player': analyst on Biden’s Ukraine policy
18:54
Russian forces attack Ukraine’s Kherson region with artillery, killing three civilians
18:35
89 clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front on January 18 - General Staff
18:13
OPINION
Two cores of Russian network in Ukraine
17:51
Exclusive
Key to victory lies with Zelenskyy: time to appoint competent experts, not friends - Colonel Grant
17:30
Slovenia funds three pyrotechnic vehicles for Ukraine’s Emergency Services
17:12
Nigeria joins BRICS as partner country
16:53
Exclusive
'Sign of weakness for U.S.': Manhattan University professor on potential Trump-Putin meeting
16:36
Guerrillas torch two communication towers near Russia's Krasnodar
16:14
Exclusive
Future events depend on Putin’s decisions, not Trump or Musk - British Colonel Grant
15:58
OPINION
Russia-Iran: has Putin outplayed everyone?
15:37
Exclusive
U.S. alone cannot provide Ukraine with everything needed to defeat Russia - diplomat
15:15
North Korea prepares second wave of troops to aid Russia in Ukraine war
14:56
OPINION
Will Trump mobilize 18-year-olds?
14:33
Russia attacks Ukraine's Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia with ballistic missiles, causing casualities
14:12
Exclusive
Global pressure mounts: next week could see united demand for Putin to end aggression
14:08
Updated
Ukrainian forces target Russian oil depot in Tula region, air defenses in occupied territories
13:49
OPINION
Putin's regime at risk: Russia running out of reserves, war funds
13:30
Ukrainian special forces strike Rosneft oil depot in Russia’s Kaluga region
13:07
Review
Russian forces employ 'bait' tactics for assaults, Putin plans major covert mobilization amid heavy losses. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
12:45
Russia seizes 18,000 hectares of land in occupied Luhansk from Ukrainians without passports
12:24
Ukraine reports 174 clashes at front, repels 79 Russian assaults in Pokrovsk sector
12:01
Exclusive
Russian forces relentlessly attempt to flank Pokrovsk: Ukrainian army repels nearly 70 attacks daily
11:40
Interview
Support for Ukraine drops when war fades from news — Anton Bogdanovych, Ukrainian community leader in Sydney
11:03
Russia attacks Ukraine with drones, missiles: explosions heard in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia
10:49
Updated
Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih leaves five dead, several injured: rescue operations completed
10:35
Russia loses 1,340 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Friday
17 January
21:20
Belarusian volunteer Maria Zaitseva killed near Bakhmut
20:55
Russian oil tankers under construction added to U.S. sanctions list
20:32
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15
Russian forces resort to 'Zhiguli' cars for assaults on Ukrainian positions
20:10
Finnish party drops candidate over calling Ukraine war 'special military operation'
19:51
Ukrainian paratroopers capture 7 Russian soldiers in operation near Kurakhove
19:29
Zelenskyy awards Hero of Ukraine title to defender Dmytro Maslovskyi, who died in hand-to-hand combat
19:10
Exclusive
Military expert Zgurets addresses claims of 'manipulation' in WWII-era mine report
18:50
OPINION
Rubio understands Putin’s true goal
18:31
Russia’s Putin, Iran’s Pezeshkian sign strategic partnership agreement
18:10
Press release
Serhiy Zgurets' materials are reliable, free of manipulation: Espreso on controversy around publication on outdated mine procurement
17:54
In Kryvyi Rih, man lost his second wife in Russian attack, having buried his first during Kherson's occupation
17:35
97 clashes reported on Russian-Ukrainian front on Jan.17: tense situation in Pokrovsk sector
More news