SpaceX to expand Ukraine's access to Starshield satellite network – Bloomberg

According to Ukrinform, Bloomberg reports that citing the U.S. Space Systems Command’s Commercial Satellite Office.

The agreement ensures that 2,500 Starlink terminals already in Ukraine will gain access to Starshield, a classified and encrypted signal more resistant to hacking or jamming. This comes in addition to 500 terminals previously connected to Starshield, according to the publication.

“A total of 3,000 terminals are provided service via the two contracts,” stated the Space Systems Command. They added that the agreements aim to “facilitate internet connectivity in Ukraine.”

Both contracts include provisions for service delivery into 2025, according to the agency.

While the cost of the new contract remains undisclosed, the earlier 500-terminal agreement from US European Command was for roughly $40 million.

SpaceX has not yet commented on the development.

The previously undisclosed contract was awarded in August, before Donald Trump won the 2024 election and President Joe Biden launched a bid to step up military assistance to Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, The Washington Post revealed that Russian forces had been illegally obtaining Starlink terminals despite U.S. efforts to curtail technology flows. These systems reportedly improve Russian military coordination and maneuverability in its war against Ukraine.

In February, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence confirmed increased use of Starlink satellite systems by Russian forces on the battlefield.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that the company had not sold any Starlink terminals to Russia.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have launched an investigation into SpaceX regarding the use of its Starlink service by Russian military forces.