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Ukraine looks for Starlink substitute in case US disables it — official

The official admits that transition to the new systems will be difficult and leave the Ukrainians without one of their key battlefield advantages

LONDON, March 4. /TASS/. Ukraine is trying to develop an alternative military communications system in case the United States disables the Starlink systems, a Ukrainian official told The Economist magazine.

The Ukrainian official says a back-up using similar technologies is in the works. "We have one that could roll out in days, a more extensive solution in three months."

The official admits that transition to the new systems will be difficult and leave the Ukrainians without one of their key battlefield advantages.

The Starlink global satellite communications system was developed by SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk. Starlink's work in Ukraine is paid for by Poland, but controlled by the United States. These systems are the backbone of the Ukrainian army.

Earlier, a Pentagon spokesperson told TASS that the US army had suspended military aid to Ukraine. The spokesperson said the suspension applies to all US military equipment that is not currently in Ukraine, including weapons transported by planes and ships or awaiting further shipment in transit zones in Poland.

In Kiev, many perceived this situation as catastrophic. Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko (listed in the Russian Federation as a terrorist and extremist) noted that the suspension of military aid would primarily result in a shortage of missiles for air defense systems and shells for multiple launch rocket systems HIMARS.