At a recent defense exhibition, Russian drone manufacturer KB Valkyriya unveiled its latest innovation: the RD-8 mothership drone, a platform that can be controlled not only via traditional radio channels but also through Starlink satellite internet and mobile networks. This announcement, made on September 7, 2025, has drawn widespread attention from military analysts and open-source monitoring groups, such as VD: Enemy Intelligence and VD: Rozvidka Voroha, who have tracked the rapid evolution of Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The RD-8 is not just another reconnaissance drone. According to information presented at the exhibition and corroborated by the developer’s website, the RD-8 is part of a broader series of drones—including the RD-7, RD-10, and RD-12—that are designed to be operated via Starlink or mobile networks. This technological leap could have significant implications for the battlefield, especially in Ukraine, where Starlink’s coverage enables remote operations deep behind enemy lines. As noted by VD: Enemy Intelligence, the Russian military’s adoption of Starlink-enabled drones could “greatly simplify the use of drones for the Russian military in the Ukrainian rear, as Starlink works in Ukraine, unlike in Russia.”
The RD-8 drone itself is a versatile piece of hardware. With a wingspan of 3.8 meters and powered by two electric motors using a hybrid power plant, it carries a five-liter gasoline tank. The drone’s takeoff weight is 30 kilograms in its reconnaissance configuration and 35 kilograms as a mothership capable of deploying smaller FPV (first-person view) drones. Its flight duration stretches up to 4.5 hours for reconnaissance missions and 3 hours in mothership mode, with a maximum altitude of 3 kilometers and a range of up to 150 kilometers. The cruising speed is a steady 80 km/h, but it can reach up to 200 km/h when needed. The RD-8 can carry two FPV drones, each equipped with a three-kilogram warhead, and is fitted with both day and night cameras—boasting a 30x optical zoom and a thermal imager with a 640×512 pixel matrix.
The platform is positioned as a multi-purpose solution: it can serve as a scout, a mothership, or even a communications repeater for interceptor drones. Its primary tactical role, according to the developer, is to support assault troops and isolate combat lines to a depth of 150 kilometers by clearing strongholds before an attack using FPV-controlled strikes. This capability, combined with the ability to operate via Starlink, represents a significant force multiplier—especially when considering the contested nature of communications on the modern battlefield.
But the RD-8 is only part of a larger ecosystem. The largest drone in Valkyriya’s lineup, the RD-12, pushes the boundaries even further. With a five-meter wingspan and powered by a hybrid system with two electric motors and a 15-liter gasoline tank, the RD-12 weighs 60 kilograms in reconnaissance mode and 45 kilograms as a mothership. Its flight duration is an impressive 20 hours for reconnaissance missions and 7 hours as a mothership. The RD-12 operates at altitudes up to 5 kilometers and boasts a range of up to 800 kilometers for reconnaissance and 400 kilometers as a mothership. Like the RD-8, it can carry two FPV drones with three-kilogram warheads, and its reconnaissance payload is listed at 20 kilograms.
These advances, however, hinge on access to Starlink—a service officially unavailable in Russia. According to both VD: Rozvidka Voroha and open-source investigators, there is an active black market for Starlink terminals, which are smuggled into Russia primarily via Telegram channels. Terminals are typically purchased abroad, most often in Europe, and then shipped through third countries such as the United Arab Emirates. The price for a terminal and activation hovers around $1,000, with sellers providing detailed instructions on how to avoid detection and deactivation. Purchasers are advised not to activate terminals within Russia and are often encouraged to register devices using Ukrainian or European data to evade blocks. One Telegram chat even warns that terminals bought in the EU may be blocked after 90 days unless registered with Ukrainian credentials.
The black market ecosystem is robust. According to reports, customer support chats on Telegram offer not only logistical advice but also videos from Russian military personnel already using Starlink terminals in the field. Service companies look for individuals willing to “lend” their data for registration, and users often share tips on keeping their connections active. The demand is driven by the operational need for secure, reliable communications—something Starlink provides, even if obtained through illicit channels.
The integration of Starlink into Russian drone operations is not merely theoretical. Earlier this year, Ukrainian defense forces downed a Russian Shahed-136 drone equipped with a Starlink terminal. Photos of the wreckage revealed the satellite antenna’s serial numbers, raising questions about how such technology finds its way onto the battlefield. As analysts pointed out, the addition of Starlink could transform drones like the Shahed-136 into platforms capable of long-range control and real-time data transmission, a potentially game-changing development for reconnaissance and strike missions alike.
The implications of these developments are profound. On one hand, the ability to control drones via satellite internet or mobile networks enables Russian forces to operate UAVs far from traditional radio control ranges, complicating efforts by Ukrainian defenders to jam or intercept communications. On the other, the reliance on black market Starlink terminals introduces vulnerabilities—such as the risk of deactivation or tracking via serial numbers—which could be exploited by adversaries or international regulators. The ongoing cat-and-mouse game over Starlink usage in Russia underscores the rapidly evolving nature of electronic warfare in the region.
Meanwhile, the Russian manufacturer continues to position its drones as flexible, multi-role platforms suitable for a variety of missions, from reconnaissance to direct attack. The RD-8 and RD-12, with their hybrid power plants, extended range, and payload versatility, represent the cutting edge of Russian UAV design. Their ability to carry and deploy FPV drones with significant warheads, combined with advanced imaging and communications capabilities, makes them formidable assets on the modern battlefield.
As the conflict in Ukraine grinds on, the race to integrate commercial technologies like Starlink into military applications is likely to intensify. Both sides are leveraging every available tool to gain an edge, and the proliferation of satellite-enabled drones is just the latest chapter in this high-stakes technological arms race. For now, the skies over Ukraine—and the networks that connect them—are more contested than ever.