Russian forces use Starlink to control BM-35 drones in Ukraine
Ukrainian forces documented the first confirmed case of a Russian BM-35 kamikaze drone controlled via Starlink satellite internet, signaling a troubling escalation in drone warfare tactics. Military expert Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov reported the incident on January 15, highlighting how such satellite-linked drones evade traditional electronic warfare measures and enable precise strikes guided from distant Russian operators.
This development marks a shift from earlier sightings of Starlink on Russia's Molniya drones, which relied on tactical satellite communications. Beskrestnov described it as a disaster for Ukraine, as these drones maintain stable video feeds and command links immune to conventional jamming, allowing operators to target moving assets effectively.
Starlink integration fundamentally boosts Russian drone resilience, bypassing ground-based radio frequencies for low-latency satellite control that resists spoofing or forced landings. Ukrainian examinations of downed Molniya drones revealed booby-trapped terminals packed with 75 grams of TNT to destroy evidence upon capture, underscoring Russian efforts to safeguard technology secrets.
Beskrestnov issued his starkest warning about potential upgrades to Shahed drones, Iran's design heavily used by Russia against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. He predicted Starlink-equipped Shaheds could deploy within days, rendering GPS spoofing defenses obsolete and intensifying aerial threats across the front lines.
The BM-35, first spotted in combat in early September 2025, features a delta-wing design powered by a DLE two-stroke gasoline engine and incorporates over 41 foreign components from Switzerland, the United States, Taiwan, and China. SpaceX maintains Starlink operates neither in Russia nor for its military, committing to disable sanctioned terminals, yet Russian forces procure units through third-party channels for battlefield use.
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