Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has come under fire for his decision to order engineers to shut off Starlink’s satellite network over Crimea last year. This move was reportedly made in order to prevent a Ukrainian attack on Russian warships during the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The revelation of Musk’s involvement in this decision has sparked outrage and criticism from Ukrainian officials, who argue that it has had dire consequences for their country.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Western governments scrambled to provide Kyiv with the necessary military support. Around the same time, Musk’s Starlink terminals arrived in the country. However, Musk soon became disillusioned with the idea of Starlink being involved in a war. He believed that the network was meant for peaceful purposes, such as improving internet connectivity for people to stream movies or attend online classes. Musk expressed concerns over the potential for the Ukrainian attack on Russian warships to escalate into a nuclear war. This sentiment was documented in the biography titled “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson, which is set to be released soon.
One of the top aides to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Podolyak, criticized Musk for his decision to deactivate Starlink. Podolyak argued that by preventing Ukrainian drones from destroying part of the Russian military fleet through Starlink interference, Musk had allowed the fleet to retaliate by firing missiles at Ukrainian cities. This has resulted in the loss of civilian lives, including innocent children. Podolyak’s scathing remarks on social media reflect the anger and frustration felt by many in Ukraine towards Musk’s actions.
The consequences of Elon Musk’s decision to shut off Starlink during the conflict are being keenly felt in Ukraine. The Black Sea fleet, stationed in Crimea, fired missiles at once-thriving Ukrainian coastal cities and implemented a devastating naval blockade following Russia’s invasion. These actions have caused widespread destruction and loss of life. Ukrainian officials argue that if Starlink had remained operational, their drones could have successfully targeted the Russian warships, potentially preventing further escalation of the conflict. This has led to a wave of accusations against Musk, with many claiming that his ignorance and ego contributed to the current dire situation.
In Ukraine, Starlink has played a crucial role in providing battlefield communications. The network, consisting of more than 4,000 satellites, has enabled reliable and secure connectivity for military operations. It has served as the connective tissue linking Ukrainian forces on the ground with their command centers. Consequently, the deactivation of Starlink severely impacted Ukraine’s ability to effectively communicate and coordinate their defense against the Russian invasion. This further underscores the negative consequences of Musk’s decision.
According to Isaacson’s book, Musk’s decision was discussed in a phone call with President Joe Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley. This demonstrates the severity of the situation and the ripple effects caused by Musk’s actions. Additionally, Musk himself engaged in a texting conversation with Ukraine’s digital minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov pleaded with Musk to restore Starlink’s connectivity, hoping that it would enable Ukrainian submarine drones to carry out the attack on Russia’s warship fleet. However, Musk resisted, believing that such an attack would lead to a major escalation of the conflict.
Elon Musk’s stance on the Ukrainian attack highlights his concerns about the potential consequences. He likened the successful sinking of the Russian fleet to a “mini Pearl Harbor” that would undoubtedly lead to a significant escalation of the conflict. While Musk’s decision stemmed from worries about the devastating consequences of such an escalation, it has ultimately drawn criticism and condemnation from those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The debate surrounding the ethics of Musk’s decision and its impact on the conflict continues to rage on.
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