Russians begin using Shahed drones operated via Starlink, says expert

Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian military radio technology expert, who has been appointed as an adviser to Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on technology-related matters, has reported that Russian forces have likely used a Shahed loitering munition operated via Starlink satellite internet near Kropyvnytskyi.

Source: Beskrestnov on Telegram

Quote: "Yesterday morning, the enemy used Shaheds to strike helicopters near the city of Kropyvnytskyi.

In the image, we can see automatic target acquisition and manual guidance using the video feed. But there were no UAVs nearby to create a Mesh radio network. I conclude that we are seeing the first use of Shaheds operating via Starlink."

Details: Beskrestnov noted that these manually controlled Shaheds were flying almost at ground level in order to avoid detection by radar.

"Did I expect this? Yes. Did I warn about it? Yes. Did anyone listen to me? No. These are all the challenges our team will have to work with. And we will work proactively," the adviser said.

Background:

• On 15 January, Beskrestnov reported that a Russian BM-35 drone being controlled via Starlink satellite internet had been discovered for the first time. He said that the use of Starlink had previously been observed only on Russian-made Molniya-type UAVs.
• "It is only a matter of time before Shaheds equipped with Starlink start flying. Possibly even days, not months," Beskrestnov noted at the time.

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