Elon Musk has spoken out about the use of his Starlink service in the Ukraine conflict. He stated that using the commercial network for offensive drone strikes was never allowed and that a loophole permitting such use was closed last week.
What happened
Musk explained that Starlink, a civilian commercial service, was not intended for offensive purposes. He also mentioned that Starshield, a separate military-grade system, is controlled by the US government. Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed that his forces used Starlink for mid-range strikes against enemy targets.
Musk defended his company's record in supporting Ukraine, saying that SpaceX has done more to defend the country than any other private company. He also expressed contempt for those pushing for endless conflict without offering realistic solutions.
The situation has been complicated by reports of a slowdown in Starlink services, with some attributing the decision to Musk. However, the responsibility for the order remains unclear, with US President Donald Trump denying involvement.
Ukraine is seeking to reduce its dependence on Musk's services, having signed a letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE to build its own satellite communications system.
