Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Crippled Ukraine's Drones, Sowed Panic in Kyiv

Elon Musk, through his company SpaceX, ordered a reduction in the functionality of its Starlink satellite internet service, which crippled Ukrainian drones and caused significant panic in Kyiv, according to reports.

The directive from Musk aimed to prevent Ukraine from using Starlink for offensive operations, seeking to keep the satellite internet service from being used to plan and execute attacks.

The Starlink system, a constellation of satellites providing internet access, has been crucial for Ukraine's military communications since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has allowed Ukrainian forces to maintain connectivity in areas where ground infrastructure has been destroyed or is inaccessible.

Reports suggest that the slowdown in Starlink's capabilities led to a significant disruption for Ukraine's drone operations, which rely heavily on real-time data and communication. This disruption reportedly sowed panic among Ukrainian officials and military leaders concerned about the impact on their battlefield capabilities.

SpaceX has not publicly commented on the specific directive or its impact on Ukrainian military operations. However, the company has previously stated its commitment to providing Starlink for humanitarian and defensive purposes in Ukraine, while also asserting its desire to avoid being complicit in escalating the conflict.