Entrepreneur Elon Musk said on Sunday, 9, that the Starlink satellite internet system plays a central role in Ukraine’s Armed Forces communication infrastructure.
In a publication on the social network X (former Twitter), Musk stated that if the service were deactivated, there would be a collapse on the Ukrainian front line.
“My Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. The whole front line would collapse if I turned it off, ”wrote the businessman.
In addition to the statement on the strategic role of the system, Musk defended the closure of hostilities in the conflict. Posting occurs amid international discussions on the use of civil technology in military scenarios.
Reports published by United States press vehicles indicated that during conversations involving US companies access to Ukraine mineral resources, US negotiators would have considered the possibility of interrupting the country’s access to the Starlink system. Musk denied this information.
Starlink is a project by Spacex, also controlled by Elon Musk, and aims to provide broadband internet connection through a low -orbit satellite network.
The system was launched in February 2018, with an initial forecast of sending 12,000 satellites to the space. Subsequently, in 2019, the company requested authorization to expand this number in up to 30 thousand additional units. Currently, approximately 7,000 satellites are in operation.
The use of Starlink by Ukraine began shortly after the beginning of the Russian military operation in the Ukrainian territory in February 2022. The terminals needed to access the system were sent by Spacex, allowing the country to maintain communications even in areas affected by cuts in conventional networks.
In June 2023, the US Department of Defense acquired hundreds of Starlink terminals for Ukraine. The acquisition was made as part of a support package focused on the country’s defense and communications infrastructure.
Recent musk statements expand the debate on the influence of private companies in conflict scenarios. The entrepreneur had already commented on the use of Starlink in military operations, stating that the system was designed for civil use and that strategic decisions should be defined by government authorities.
Spacex’s role in supporting the Ukrainian government has been discussed in different diplomatic and parliamentary instances.
US parliamentarians have even questioned the company’s degree of involvement in operations in Eastern Europe, considering that control over communication systems can have impacts on military decisions.
The United States government has sought to establish rules for the use of commercial technology in national security contexts.
The theme gained prominence after reports that access to Starlink was restricted on certain occasions, based on unilateral decisions of the supplier company.
Musk has reiterated that the system is operated based on technical and commercial guidelines, and that your company is not directly involved in conducting military actions.
However, the businessman acknowledged that Starlink’s presence in conflict zones generates political and operational implications.
The statement that the Ukrainian front line could collapse without the system generated reactions between analysts and political representatives.
The statements reinforced the assessment of the degree of dependence on Ukraine’s Armed Forces regarding private connectivity services.
International organizations have been following the theme with interest. The presence of commercial satellites in conflict areas raises questions about digital sovereignty, critical infrastructure control and risks associated with the centralization of services in companies with global performance.
Spacex, in turn, said it will continue to provide services according to the contracts in force. The Ukrainian government did not officially comment on the statements made by Musk. There was also no immediate reaction from the Pentagon or the White House.
Starlink’s performance remains one of the main means of connectivity in regions affected by war. Since the beginning of the conflict, the system has been used to establish communication networks in military units, strategic facilities and decentralized command centers.
The theme should continue to debate in the international instances of regulating space technology and telecommunications. The International Union of Telecommunications and other multilateral organizations have discussed the effects of using private satellites on security operations.
The United States government maintains logistical support to Ukraine and, according to authorities, permanently evaluates the country’s operational needs. The maintenance of communication services is part of the priorities of the International Assistance Package coordinated by Washington.
Starlink continues to operate in various countries and regions. The company states that its main objective is to ensure internet access in remote places or with precarious infrastructure. However, the use of the system in conflict zones has expanded its visibility in the international geopolitical scenario.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/03/10/musk-ameaca-desligar-starlink-para-encerrar-a-guerra-na-ucrania/
