How Does Starshield Work and Who Controls It
SpaceX’s secure network for governments comes in many forms, including some services vital to the Ukrainian war effort
Elon Musk’s rocket company launched its first Starlink satellites in 2019 to beam high-speed internet service to far-flung locales. By mid-2026, the broadband network boasted more than 12 million subscribers from vacation homes to airlines to battlefields.
Ukrainian forces began using the cheap, compact satellite terminals soon after Russia’s 2022 invasion to securely communicate with commanders and other units. Satellite receivers tacked onto drones and boats helped Ukraine attack Russian positions from hundreds of miles away.
