A controversial decision by Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and owner of the Starlink satellite network, was recently revealed by multiple sources familiar with the war in Ukraine. According to this information, the billionaire personally ordered the temporary shutdown of Starlink service in a strategic area of Kherson, in southern Ukraine, just as Ukrainian forces launched a decisive counteroffensive against Russian troops.
Starlink, a satellite network designed to provide high-speed internet access worldwide, has played a crucial role in Ukrainian military operations since the early months of the conflict. Thanks to this technology, combat units were able to maintain stable communications even in regions where conventional infrastructure had been destroyed. A disruption in service in Kherson would therefore have significant operational consequences, according to several military analysts.
According to internal documents and testimony released by anonymous Ukrainian officials, the shutdown was reportedly motivated by Musk’s concerns about a potential escalation of the conflict. The billionaire believed that offensive use of the Starlink network, particularly to guide drones or coordinate attacks in disputed areas, could transform the company into a direct actor in the conflict and thus expose it to retaliation or international sanctions.
“I don’t want SpaceX to be complicit in an act of war that could destabilize the region and the world,” Elon Musk reportedly said, according to an excerpt released by the American press. This position, however, raises many questions about the neutrality of operators of critical technologies in times of war.
On the Ukrainian side, the reaction was swift. Several politicians and military officials expressed frustration, even outrage, at what they considered harmful interference in a crucial operation for the liberation of the country. “Cutting off the connection at this very moment put lives at risk and weakened our ability to act in a coordinated manner,” said a Defense Ministry advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The international community is now questioning the growing influence that private actors like Elon Musk can wield in geopolitical affairs. Starlink is not simply a technology company: in a wartime context, its infrastructure becomes a strategic tool, whose unilateral control by an individual could have serious implications.
SpaceX has yet to make any official statement. The company simply states in its terms of use that its services “will not be used for offensive military purposes without specific authorization.” However, this clause remains open to interpretation, especially in a context as complex as the war in Ukraine.
As the conflict continues, the question of the civilian or military use of space technologies remains at the center of debate. Elon Musk’s decision in Kherson may well set a precedent in the history of contemporary conflicts, where large technology companies, sometimes led by a single voice, find themselves in a position to influence international balances. This new reality raises important ethical, political, and legal questions.
