The billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, Elon Musk, has given Ukraine an advantage in its war with Russia that is paying dividends.
Aerorozvidka (Aerial Reconnaissance) has been used by Ukraine to attack Russian drones and target the tanks and track down their positions since February 24, The Daily Mail
reported.
Drones used in the field are able to use the newly available Starlink to keep connected and provide intelligence as internet and power outages plague Ukraine.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence warned last week that Moscow is ‘probably’ targeting Ukraine’s communications infrastructure.
With the technology, the drones can be directed to drop anti-tank munitions to help ward off the Russian attack.
The Ukrainians are also enlisting the help of PD-1 unmanned aerial vehicles fitted with infrared sensors. With a wingspan of 10ft, the vehicles are being used to collect vital information on the movements of Russian troops.
The Ukrainian drone unit uses a ‘Delta’ system, which has been perfected in recent years with the help of Western advisers.
It can be accessed by basic laptops, and has a ‘situational awareness’ software installed which creates an interactive map using images from drones, satellites, human intelligence and sensors to build a physical picture to help in tracking the enemy.
It is said to be on par with what NATO uses and has been helped by Western nations. The United States is said to have spent millions of dollars to protect it from Russian hacking.
Musk provided the Starlink equipment after a request from Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s vice-prime minister, who thanked him for his assistance.
“Starlink — here,” Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in a tweet with an attached picture of the Internet communications equipment. “Thanks, @elonmusk.”
drckangelo.medium.com
