this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
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Russia is using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite devices in Ukraine, sources say::undefined

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

A VPN would prevent anyone from being able to tell what the data was, where it was going, what it was for. The moment a VPN is introduced, there’s no way to tell what the device is being used for.

VPN will not let the module use a satellite outside of its current location. Starlink is the service operator, not the website you connect to. Also SSL makes the VPN you describe redundant.

Russian operatives can still purchase things in Ukraine.

... And get them delivered how exactly?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

lol SSL does not make a VPN redundant, good lord. Just because they can’t read the information being sent when SSL is being used, doesn’t mean they can’t see where it’s going, or what type of data it is.

And it doesn’t matter where they currently are. Unless you think starlink employees are going to be analyzing the location data of every device in and around Ukraine in an attempt to figure out which devices are potentially under Russian control?

And why would it be difficult to get them delievered? Have them delivered anywhere in Ukraine, wherever improves their chances of it actually arriving, and then transport it north. They aren’t going to have it shipped to the front lines, and most post offices aren’t fully operational right now so they’d need to ensure it’s going to one that’s at least semi-open.

You keep approaching this like the people involved would be idiots.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

lol SSL does not make a VPN redundant, good lord.

I said it about what you described, not about actual VPN. In context of Starlink it's like proposing to wear a mask while your neighbor still sees you from your window in your room.

And it doesn’t matter where they currently are.

Check the Starlink availability map. Starlink is able to command what each satellite does, and surely they can see the list of connected modules for each satellite, with accounts. Wether they use VPN or not is irrelevant.

Unless you think starlink employees are going to be analyzing the location data of every device in and around Ukraine in an attempt to figure out which devices are potentially under Russian control?

They could, it won't take much effort, and it will be in everyone's interest to analyze what can be done about it.

Have them delivered anywhere in Ukraine, wherever improves their chances of it actually arriving, and then transport it north.

North - where? Europe? Then to Russia and to the front lines? Then there is no point in involving Ukraine at all. Ukraine bashes EU for not controlling export with Russia properly, why would it not strictly control its own exports anywhere?

They aren’t going to have it shipped to the front lines

Where they were shipped before getting delivered to the front lines is not much of an interest, as it will still be different from batches that Starlink directly shiping to Ukrainian military as per agreement with the US government.

You keep approaching this like the people involved would be idiots.

  1. I know a lot of people involved are not educated good enough to understand that they should not help Russian aggression.

  2. What approach do you recommend? All I see is nasicay "Russians control everything and we are powerless".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I’m done. You’re not actually following what I’m saying and just keep going.

If you want to believe there are zero Russians with basic opsec knowledge, it’s a damn good thing you’re not making command decisions.

Peace.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

You’re not actually following what I’m saying and just keep going.

This is false.

If you want to believe there are zero Russians with basic opsec knowledge

This was never assumed in my comments.

Though if you want to believe actions of Russian army like "buying Starlink terminals and using them on the front lines" can't be opposed, I wish there would be enough people around to point out this fallacy publicly.