Questions Are Raised About Elon Musk Disabling Ukraine Military Internet, Calling It “Handcuffing Country’s Self-Defense”
Concerned that Elon Musk may have directly influenced the conflict in Ukraine and, therefore, American foreign policy, three Democratic congressmen sent a letter to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
This comes a week after a US tech tycoon disclosed he had turned down the Ukrainian military’s request to deploy his Starlink satellite internet service for an offensive campaign in Crimea last year. Musk, though, denied the claim that he restricted access to Starklink in locations where the service was already available.
“Answers are needed to the questions surrounding what exactly transpired during this Ukrainian assault, as well as Mr. Musk’s precise participation. The DoD has selected SpaceX as a prime contractor, a crucial industrial partner, and a beneficiary of billions of dollars in public money. If DoD contractors have the ability to autonomously act to revoke their services, it presents serious concerns to national security. In a press release, US representative Jeanne Shaheen expressed her serious worry about SpaceX’s capacity and readiness to suspend their operations at Elon Musk’s whim and to shackle a sovereign country’s right to self-defense, effectively safeguarding Russian interests.
Shaheen, Tammy Duckworth, and Elizabeth Warren all contributed their signatures to a letter asking the US Department of Defense (DoD) to share information on any instances in which Starlink or other commercial services offered to Ukraine were arbitrarily blocked or limited.
“They are also asking for the terms and conditions of these kinds of military service contracts to make sure there are safeguards against any supplier unilaterally limiting or changing service. Finally, they want to know what the Defense Department is doing to create redundant capacities to guarantee availability to essential services in emergency situations, the statement said.
According to The Hill, the accusations were initially made in a biography of Musk that was published at the beginning of September. The claims revealed by writer Walter Isaacson in his biography of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk raise serious questions about whether Musk directly interfered to damage a significant US partner at a pivotal moment, according to the letter from US senators. The US senators requested that the Pentagon look into the claims’ entire scope and establish the facts.
According to the biography, Musk stepped in when Ukraine requested Starlink access for a drone attack on the Russian Navy in Sevastopol. According to the book, he was worried that Russia might launch a nuclear weapon in retaliation for an attack on its vessels. According to the author, he was asked to switch on the service by Ukrainian authorities but refused.
Ukraine’s advancements have been ascribed to the Starlink internet system, but they have been constrained by Musk’s demands that it not be used for offensive operations into Russia and his threats to shut down the program.
