The Russian government has imposed a ban on the import of foreign satellite terminals into the country, Meduza reports citing a decree by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin dated April 29.
The document specifies that the import of “radio-electronic devices intended for the transmission and (or) reception of radio waves from space communication objects (communication satellites, including dual-purpose satellites) of foreign states” is prohibited in Russia if they do not have a decision from the state commission on radio frequencies regarding the allocation of radio frequency bands.
This restriction applies to Starlink satellite internet terminals manufactured by the American company SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk.
The Starlink satellite system is actively used by Ukrainian military forces to combat Russian armed forces. Russian troops have also used Starlink terminals, but in February of this year, there were mass disconnections on the front line. In Russia, the terminals were imported illegally through third countries.
