Ukraine rolls out Starlink terminal verification to counter russian aerial terror

Ukraine is introducing a “whitelist” for Starlink satellite terminals. Soon, only verified and registered terminals will be allowed to operate in the country. All others will be disconnected.

The relevant resolution was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

“This is a response to russia’s use of Starlink. russian drones equipped with terminals are difficult to shoot down. They fly at low altitude, are resistant to electronic warfare, and are controlled by operators in real time even over long distances,” said Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov.

He emphasized that the only technical solution to counter this threat is to introduce a “whitelist” and authorize all terminals. At the Government’s initiative, the Ministry of Defence is implementing the measure in cooperation with SpaceX.

“The process of registering Starlink terminals for Ukrainian users will be as simple as possible. It will require just one visit to the nearest Administrative Services Center—free, fast, and without excessive bureaucracy. For businesses, a straightforward and convenient online verification procedure for Starlink terminals will be available through the Diia portal,” Mykhailo Fedorov explained.

The Defence Minister stressed that military personnel are not required to visit Administrative Services Centers, as the Defence Forces already use a dedicated secure channel through DELTA. Service members are likewise not required to register their personal terminals on a military unit’s balance sheet or provide account details; instead, they only need to add the terminal to the “whitelist” to prevent disconnection.

“The ‘whitelist’ allows us to ensure stable connectivity for Ukrainians, enhance security, and deny the enemy technological advantages. This is a necessary step by the Government to save Ukrainian lives and protect critical energy infrastructure,” Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized.