MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed on Wednesday Starlink terminals were used by "terrorist organizations" in Africa and Southeast Asia, and by protesters in Iran and Venezuela.

Responding to an Anadolu question at a press briefing in Moscow, Zakharova noted that the operator of the Starlink system is a private American company.

She said that the company does not provide services in Russia, adding that for such systems to operate on Russian territory, any foreign company must obtain permission from the regulator and comply with national legislation -- requirements that Starlink refuses to meet.

"The facts of illegal use of Starlink subscriber terminals during recent anti-government protests in Iran and in Venezuela in 2024, as well as the involvement of this low-orbit satellite internet system in supporting the combat operations of Ukrainian armed groups and terrorist organizations in Africa and Southeast Asia, are indicative," she said.

The concerns of states regarding threats emanating from Starlink formed the basis for an informal UN Security Council meeting held on December 29, 2025, at Russia's initiative, under the Arria formula on this topic, she said.

"UN member states confirmed the need for operators of low-orbit satellite internet systems to respect sovereignty and comply with the national legislation of the states in whose territories they provide their services," she said.

Last week, Ukraine accused Starlink of allowing Russian forces in Ukraine's battle zone to use its terminals. Following the complaints, the company introduced additional verification measures for the users.