Starlink satellite terminals are sold in Russia "specifically for special military operation" by private sellers

The Starlink satellite Internet connection terminals are sold in Russia by private sellers which sell the devices for RUB 240,000-299,000 (about US$2,600-3,300).

Source: Vazhnie Istorii (Important Stories) media outlet

Details: Journalists pretending to be volunteers of the Russian occupying forces talked to three Starlink sellers in Russia.

The Starlink managers explained that the terminals only work near Ukrainian borders and cannot be used deep in the Russian state. Two of them specified that a private account of a device connects to the Internet through Poland, and the third said that it connects through "a European country".

Sellers promise that their terminals will work in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea, uninterruptedly, as well as in the European exclave in Russian Kaliningrad and in Kamchatka near Japan.

All terminals on sale have been adjusted and are ready for use. The "V1, V2 RV and SL Global versions" are in stock, their cost varies from RUB 240,000 to 299,000 depending on the selling platform. Payment is accepted in cash or by card. Another online household appliances store Miele which sells equipment nominally unavailable in Russia is also ready to accept payment from a legal entity.

Meanwhile in Europe the Starlink terminals cost from €450 to €2,843 (about US$485 to US$3,064), and the standard prepayment starts at €50 (US$54) a month.

The product can be bought independently in residential buildings in Moscow. Several neighbouring residential buildings with addresses available for pickup are included in the list of secret facilities or "special power consumers", and located not far from GRU (Russian military intelligence) facilities.

Background:

• The Russians started using Starlink terminals of the SpaceX company of Ilon Musk on their positions.
• On 11 February Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine confirmed that the Russians used the Starlink terminals and reported that Russia continues working through the so-called parallel import, buying Starlink through third countries.
• The Kremlin claimed it did not use Starlink for combat purposes since the system had not been certified in Russia.
• Defence Intelligence of Ukraine also stated that Russia procured satellite Internet terminals Starlink in Arab countries.

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