In Ukraine, many Starlink satellite communication terminals stopped working with messages about the absence of active accounts. It is reported by RBC with reference to the Ukrainian media.
According to the founder of the People’s Starlink group, Vladimir Stepants, “when they try to contact Space X technical support, the owners of such terminals receive answers about signs of fraudulent activity.” Thus, the user cannot replenish the account on them.
The group is engaged in the purchase and repair of terminals for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also provides technical support to device users.
Ukraine is reportedly caught up in an “international fraudulent scheme using Starlink”. So, intermediaries buy the company’s equipment for a promotion, resell it to Ukraine at full price, and then refuse it, as a result of which the operator stops servicing the terminals.
Despite the fact that you can buy Starlink terminals in the country through the official Space X website, many order equipment from abroad to save up to 30% of the cost.
“Starlink can be stolen, bought for a share for 1 euro (without actual payment afterwards), or listed for return,” said engineer Oleg Kutkov.
In mid-February, SpaceX said it was taking action to prevent the Armed Forces from using Starlink’s satellite internet to control drones, as the service was “never intended to be used as a weapon.”
The company emphasized that the use of satellite systems for combat purposes was not part of the agreement with the government of Ukraine.
SpaceX has delivered Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russia launched a special operation. For communication, the terminals use a network of almost 4,000 satellites in low earth orbit.
Source: Rosbalt
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