The russian military freely buys Starlink terminals from SpaceX. Deliveries come from the USA, Europe, the UAE, Canada, Germany and Kazakhstan — Molfar.
The equipment is sold in at least 10 Russian stores and is supplied from the US, Europe, the UAE, Canada, Germany, China and Kazakhstan. An investigation of Molfar.
Information that the military is using Starlink on the territory of Ukraine appeared in February 2024. The coverage map from the official Starlink website shows that satellite Internet works in the territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions temporarily occupied by russia.
Among the sellers are Moscow-based DJI RUSSIA (the main profile is the distribution of drones from the Chinese company SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd) and FOR GUN (IP Chekulenko Pyotr Vitalievich, the main business is the sale of everything related to weapons and at the same time does not require licensing), as well as the Volgograd Top Machines (the main activity is the exchange of UAE dirhams for rubles and the supply of luxury cars to Russia or Kazakhstan). In total, experts have identified at least 10 stores in russia where Starlink is sold.
One of the stores is located in Moscow, on Khodynsky Boulevard, 20A. On the main page of the site, they frankly write why and to whom Starlink is sold. A contact person for this store told the authors of the study that Starlink has been on sale here for more than half a year.
One of the largest sellers is the online appliance store Miele, a German manufacturer of premium household appliances. In 2022, it was reported that Miele suspended sales in russia, but continued post-warranty service for equipment already sold.
At the same time, Miele equipment continues to be sold in Z-landia. Only now the assortment includes not only expensive washing machines and vacuum cleaners, but also Starlink terminals. The likely owner is 33-year-old Andrey Vasilyevich Osanov, who, judging by social networks, likes to attend Ayaz Shabutdinov's business trainings and, probably, is the nominal owner, The Insider found out. His contact is listed on several websites and social networks of Russian Miele equipment stores.
Another store, Shopozz, reports that Starlink and its components are being resold from foreign stores with delivery to Russia. They deliver from the USA, Canada, Germany, China, the website says. At the same time the terminals are not activated, subscriptions are sold aside.
There are many Starlink kits in the war zone. "The reasons for using it are convenience, mobility and security," said one. "Mimicry of the enemy with the help of his own means also helps. On the battlefield, it is difficult to distinguish who owns the account: the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the russian army. The Ukrainian military has repeatedly stated that they record almost more Starlink receivers on the Russian side than they have themselves."
Read more (The Insider - Russian) and (Molfar - Ukrainian)
English translated (The Insider) and (Molfar)
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