In September 2022, Elon Musk allegedly ordered a Starlink communications blackout in certain areas of Ukraine, impacting military operations amid a counteroffensive to retake Russian-held territory. Reports indicate that Musk instructed engineers to cut service for at least 100 terminals, disrupting critical communications and drone operations. This decision allegedly led to significant confusion on the battlefield, specifically hindering Ukrainian attempts to encircle Russian forces. Sources suggest Musk's motivations were tied to concerns about a potential nuclear response from Russia, though a SpaceX spokesperson has denied the accuracy of these claims.
The order led to at least 100 terminals going dark, disrupting drone surveillance, artillery strikes, and battlefield communications at a critical moment.
One Ukrainian military official told the outlet: The encirclement stalled entirely. It failed.
The decision rattled engineers who became aware of Musk's ability to take the outcome of a war into his own hands.
A SpaceX spokesperson, responding by email, called the report inaccurate and pointed to a prior X post stating: Starlink is fully committed to providing service to Ukraine.
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