Starlink terminals for Elon Musk’s satellite internet have begun appearing for sale in Russia, with Kommersant reporting that online retailers are listing the equipment. The pricing cited for Starlink gear in Russia begins at around 659 thousand rubles, though it’s important to note that the Starlink service itself remains officially inaccessible to residents within the country. The situation underscores a broader tension between global satellite internet options and Russia’s local regulatory environment.
In a move that attracted attention worldwide, Kommersant notes that since February 2023 it has been technically possible to connect to Starlink from most locations on the globe, even in places where the company does not officially operate. Concurrently, Starlink introduced a Global Roaming Service, priced at 200 US dollars per month, which translates to roughly 15.3 thousand rubles at current exchange rates. This tariff is intended to provide a flexible option for users traveling or operating outside traditional service footprints, though practical access in Russia remains constrained by local policy and infrastructure controls.
Enforcement accompanies the practical limits. Russia has signaled that use of Starlink and other satellite networks, including competing systems such as OneWeb, can carry penalties under amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code introduced in early 2022. Authorities have emphasized compliance with national telecommunications regulations, highlighting the broader framework that governs foreign satellite services within the country. This regulatory backdrop shapes the experience of potential users and distributors alike, affecting availability, resale, and installation practices.
Since 2019, Russian policy has required foreign satellite operators to route traffic through national ground stations. In addition, the operation of Starlink within Russia has involved a need for coordination with the State Radio Frequency Commission and interactions with various government bodies. These requirements reflect Russia’s emphasis on spectrum management and national security considerations in the evolving landscape of satellite communication services.
Pavel Cherenkov, managing director of Gonets Satellite System JSC, has previously commented that Starlink and OneWeb are said to share frequency bands with Russia’s own orbital network, Skif. He conceded that the Russian authorities have made clear that foreign satellite systems cannot be freely deployed within the country without meeting the regulatory prerequisites. The overall takeaway is that while international providers may offer technical capabilities, the authorization, oversight, and practical deployment remain tightly controlled by Russian regulators and policy frameworks. This reality continues to influence market dynamics, pricing, and the availability of customer-ready solutions for individuals and businesses in Russia [citation].