Ukraine: now Musk’s betrayal is feared, he could shut down Starlink and it would be a disaster

With the suspension of US military aid and intelligence, Kiev could also lose access to the Starlink satellite network, crucial for the communications of the Ukrainian armed forces

After Donald Trump’s decision to stop military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Kiev faces a new potential obstacle: Elon Musk’s threat to disconnect the Starlink satellite network. This could deprive the Ukrainian armed forces of a crucial tool for field operations, further jeopardising their ability to resist Russian attacks.

The halt to US aid and the interruption of intelligence

The suspension of US aid to Ukraine has already had a significant impact on the country’s defence capabilities. According to the New York Times, the disruption of intelligence communications also affects early warning data on Russian missile and drone attacks, which are crucial for the protection of military and civilian targets. Although Ukraine is trying to reduce its dependence on US intelligence, partly with the help of the CIA and secret bases for intercepting Russian communications, the absence of support from Washington is a serious problem.

The critical role of Starlink and the position of Elon Musk

Ukraine is almost totally dependent on the Starlink satellite network provided by Elon Musk. With thousands of active terminals in the country, Starlink has become essential for the communication flow of the Ukrainian armed forces. However, Musk has repeatedly expressed his disagreement with the prolongation of the conflict and recently attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that ‘Zelensky wants a “war for good”, not a solution to the crisis’. This stance has raised concerns about Musk’s possible decision to disconnect Starlink, which could have serious operational consequences for Ukraine.

The consequences of disconnecting Starlink and alternative solutions

Should Musk decide to disconnect the Starlink service, Ukraine could face a slowdown in military communications, compromising its ability to coordinate field operations. Although there are alternative satellite networks, such as those provided by European countries like Poland, none offer the same performance and coverage as Starlink. The Washington Post points out that the possible disconnection could also trigger tensions between Washington, Warsaw and the European Union, further complicating the geopolitical situation.

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