This is the moment Russian UAV crews purportedly destroy Ukrainian drones equipped with Starlink components during operations near Pokrovsk.
The alleged strike was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defence in a statement obtained on 26th February.
The ministry said UAV units from the Unmanned Systems Troops of the “Centre” grouping eliminated Ukrainian strike drones and heavy copters fitted with ammunition-drop and mining systems, as well as Starlink components.
Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by SpaceX that provides high-speed connectivity via small portable terminals, allowing users to access the internet even in remote or war-damaged areas.
Since 2022, Starlink systems have been widely used in Ukraine to maintain battlefield communications, including transmitting live video from drones and enabling remote control when conventional infrastructure is disrupted.
The ministry said the drone operators conducted what it described as “free hunting” in the airspace, detecting targets before engaging them.
It stated that domestically produced software systems, military-grade communications equipment and high-speed data transmission systems were used to carry out the strikes.
Senior Sergeant Alexander Galkin, identified as the head of a counter-UAV crew, said: “We use Russian internet and fibre-optic communication with high resolution – this is more than sufficient for combat work.
“High-quality video transmission, clear voice communication without delays, reliable programmes for coordination with radar and countermeasure crews – all this is supplied by the Russian Ministry of Defence.”
Footage released by the ministry allegedly shows Russian drones intercepting and downing drones and heavy copters reportedly equipped with ammunition and mine-dropping systems and Starlink components.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said that units of the “Centre” grouping carry out daily strikes on armoured vehicles, strongholds and concentrations of Ukrainian personnel, disrupting rotations and the delivery of ammunition.
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
