Lithuanian authorities have declared a recent fire at a data center housing Starlink infrastructure an attempted act of sabotage. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday at a facility where antennas and a control unit for the satellite internet network are installed. According to Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, “flammable liquids and Molotov cocktails” were used to ignite the blaze, which was quickly contained by a security guard. The antenna remained undamaged, and officials reported that Starlink service in Lithuania was not interrupted. Investigations are ongoing as authorities search for suspects.

This event marks the latest in a series of attacks targeting Starlink facilities across Eastern Europe. Just last week, Bulgarian authorities reported attacks on Starlink antennas near Sofia. Prosecutors there are seeking European arrest warrants for two suspects believed to have fled the country, but have not provided detailed information about the assaults. Earlier in May, a fire at a Starlink station in central Poland damaged important supply equipment and a generator. Polish and German authorities subsequently arrested two Turkish nationals in connection with that incident. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski described the event as “another act of hybrid warfare,” noting the station’s critical role as an internet hub not only for Poland but also for communications supporting Ukraine.

European officials have linked these incidents to Russia, suggesting they are part of a larger campaign of unconventional attacks targeting infrastructure vital to NATO allies and Ukraine. Lithuania’s Prime Minister Sinkevičius voiced his belief that the sabotage attempt fits within this pattern, although he did not present direct evidence. Russia has consistently denied involvement and dismissed allegations of hybrid warfare as unfounded. Over recent years, Moscow has been accused by Western governments of engaging in diverse covert operations, including cyberattacks on energy and government networks, jamming navigation systems, deploying surveillance drones, and planting explosives on aircraft. These types of hybrid strikes tend to be difficult to attribute conclusively.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet connectivity, with significant use by Ukrainian military forces for battlefield communications, drone operations, and defensive measures against Russia. A specialized version of the service, Starshield, developed for the U.S. government, has been supplied to Ukraine as part of its defense efforts. However, reports have emerged that Ukraine’s access to Starshield has recently been limited. Former U.S. President Donald Trump denied involvement in imposing restrictions and suggested that the limitations were not initiated by Starlink’s CEO, Elon Musk. Mr. Musk has indicated that any such constraints might have originated from the Trump administration, which has been promoting a peace proposal that critics say could favor Russian interests. Meanwhile, some European advocacy groups have called on their governments to reconsider contracts with Musk’s companies, arguing that Ukraine’s defense capabilities should not depend on decisions by individual corporations or political figures. In a letter last week addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, one group emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable support for Ukraine’s defense without relying on “arbitrary decisions” by a single entity.