Russia’s Security Council Flags Starlink and Gmail as Security Threats

Russia’s Security Council is drafting a new information security doctrine that identifies foreign information technologies and services, including Starlink-type satellite communications, as threats to Russia’s critical infrastructure, according to RBC on January 28. 

Dmitry Gribkov, an aide to the Security Council’s secretary, told the that widely used mobile devices, satellite communications systems such as Starlink, and email, such as Gmail, and cloud services are being used for destructive information and technical influence on critical infrastructure and for computer intelligence gathering.

He said the Security Council’s staff, working with state bodies as well as scientific and public organizations, is preparing a new edition of the doctrine to replace the current version adopted in 2016, with the stated goal of strengthening Russia’s sovereignty in the information sphere. 

Gribkov said the draft also cites anti-Russian information campaigns, intelligence activity in cyberspace, large-scale computer attacks on infrastructure and the use of IT for criminal purposes as threats, and proposes embedding information protection into the design and operation of digital systems from the outset, including systems based on artificial intelligence.

He said the plan envisages creating a suite of state systems for information protection, countering foreign technical intelligence, and detecting and mitigating the consequences of cyberattacks, with the Security Council as the coordinator. 

Read more

Category

Anti-Fake

Digital Gulag: Russia Forces Its Spy App on Every New Phone

Aug 15, 2025 19:22

The remarks come amid separate reporting that Russia-linked electronic warfare systems have been tested for their ability to disrupt Starlink satellite internet access, according to a report published on January 21.

The report highlighted that Iran may have tested Russian-made electronic warfare systems to disrupt Starlink satellite internet access during recent protests, describing an experimental Russian system known as “Kalinka” that was described as potentially field-tested in Iran.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Russia’s effort to build a Starlink‑like low‑orbit broadband satellite network has lagged, delaying launches of its “Rassvet” constellation meant to rival foreign satellite internet systems.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW