No charges filed in pattern of suspected Starlink attacks across Europe
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Monday that an overnight fire at a facility holding Starlink satellite equipment was the work of saboteurs, pointing to Russia as the likely perpetrator. The satellite internet service is integral to Ukraine’s effort in its war against Russia and is used by NATO companies.
The attack took place about 2 a.m. and targeted a control unit and antenna, Sinkevičius said. He said “flammable liquids and Molotov cocktails” were used. Workers put out a fire at the control unit after a security guard saw the flames, and the antenna was not harmed.
Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center said Starlink service was not disrupted.
In a social media post, Sinkevičius wrote that “the authorities had warned the company of possible attacks, security had been stepped up and the attempt failed.” He elaborated on the incident in an interview with LRT Radio, Lithuania’s national broadcaster.
“We will learn more about who ordered it, how everything happened and who was behind it,” Sinkevičius said in the interview. “It is likely that it is already clear who commissioned it — the Russian side.”
The prime minister pointed to a broader pattern of suspected sabotage at Starlink sites in Europe, citing similar cases in Poland, Bulgaria and other locations. Other recent incidents include a Sept. 23 fire at a Starlink station in Poland and attacks on Starlink antennas in Bulgaria.
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski described the Polish station as an internet hub for Poland and for communications services in Ukraine.
No one has been charged in any of the recent suspected sabotage attacks, and authorities have cited no evidence against a Russian source.
Starlink is a service of SpaceX, the company owned by Elon Musk, and provides communications services and internet connections worldwide. Starshield, a military version developed for the U.S. government, is also used by Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have recently reported that access to Starshield has been restricted. Musk has said any restrictions come from the U.S. government, while U.S. President Donald Trump has denied doing so.