As tensions mount over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has pushed back against claims that his company is unilaterally hindering Kyiv's battlefield efforts.
Responding to reports of speed limits imposed on Starlink connectivity—which disrupted Ukrainian drone missions—Musk clarified that the military-grade Starshield service is under the direct control of the US government. Musk stated plainly that any limitations on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the President.
While Ukrainian officials, including advisers to President Volodymyr Zelensky, have suggested the connectivity issues were a deliberate political signal, Musk maintained that Starlink is intended for civilian or defensive use and that it is inappropriate for a commercial company to facilitate offensive military actions.
The controversy comes as the Biden administration faces scrutiny over its shifting stance on the conflict and its influence over the tools used by the Ukrainian military.
Meanwhile, as Russia continues its strikes on energy infrastructure, the debate over the extent of American involvement and the management of these critical communication networks remains a point of contention between Washington and Kyiv.
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