Because of how starlink works, they have to aim satellites specifically at areas for data to flow. They have the ability to turn regions on and off (ie, satellites over China).

They know exactly where the transceivers are and based on movement patterns, probably which side they are on.

Unless he is feeding that position data to the Ukrainian military, he knows exactly who is using them and letting it happen. He didnt sell them the dishes, but he lets them be used.

bluffing a threat to the plane by snapchatting your friend would be a weird move. No one on the plane even knew a “threat” was made.

It seems like “we have no details at all about the threat (because it wasn’t actually credible), so let’s just be prepared for every situation” is the logic.

But that wasnt the threat. They were going to stop him from blowing up the plane by… blowing up the plane.