Starlink boss Elon Musk has warned the Ukrainian government and its people that using its dishes to stay connected to the internet could make it a major target for Russian missile attacks.
After failing in the first blitzkrieg attempt, the Russian attackers resorted to a longer military operation, which means destroying key infrastructure in Ukraine.
In a clear attempt to disable communications in the country, the Russian military has already targeted the kyiv TV tower with missiles, and now its internet may be next.
russian targets
A very important means of communication, the Internet has also been targeted by the Russians, and Musk took to Twitter to sound the alarm:
“Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communication system still working in parts of Ukraine, so the probability of being attacked is high. Use with caution,” she tweeted.
A few days after the invasion began, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov took to Twitter to ask Elon Musk for help in activating Starlink satellite internet in the country. Musk responded within the day, confirming that the company would comply, and soon after, images of sent satellite dishes appeared online.
Fedorov then tweeted a photo of a Starlink dish on a rooftop, which could make him a potential target.
Asked how Ukrainians can use the dish "with caution," Musk explained: "Only turn on Starlink when necessary and place the antenna...as far away from people as possible."
“Put light camouflage on the antenna to avoid visual detection,” he added.
Reporting the story, PC Mag said that users can also spray it in a duller color, but to make sure the paint doesn't contain metallic particles.
Fedorov said the Russian military uses thermal scanners to target the country's infrastructure and asked Musk for advice. The Starlink CEO said users could combine the dishes with solar panels and batteries so the heat generated is less visible.
It seems the dispute, and Starlink's place in it, has also given Musk some upgrade ideas, saying the company is working on a software update so that "Starlink can work with the car's cigar-lighter" and that mobile travel dishes will soon be available as well.
Via: PC Mag