Elon Musk ordered the shutdown of his Starlink satellite communications network to prevent a Ukrainian sneak attack on the Russian naval fleet, fearing it could escalate to a nuclear war, according to a new biography by Walter Isaacson.
Elon Musk's decision to thwart a Ukrainian mission to combat Russian warships exposes the dangers of relying on philanthropy for national security and highlights the problematic interaction between Western capitalism and national security.
Lawmakers on both sides need to hold Elon Musk accountable for assisting Russia by turning off a Starlink satellite to thwart a Ukrainian attack, as his close ties to Putin and his unilateral decision-making raise alarm bells about his support for war crimes inflicted by Russia on Ukraine.
State Secretary Antony Blinken said he cannot confirm Elon Musk turning off Starlink internet access during a Ukrainian attack on Russia, but emphasized the importance of Starlink for communication and defense efforts in Ukraine.
Elon Musk's denial of Ukraine's military access to SpaceX's Starlink internet services, which could have prevented an attack on Russian warships, has prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren to call for an investigation and question whether the government has enough control over foreign policy decisions made by billionaires.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Elon Musk as an "outstanding person" and businessman, following Musk's revelation that he refused a Ukrainian request to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea, fearing it would aid an attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet.
Elon Musk faces backlash and accusations of treason over his decision to deny Ukraine access to Starlink during their conflict with Russia.
Elon Musk faced tough questions about his involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Vladimir Putin's praise during a recent interview, but chose not to respond.
Three Democratic senators are seeking answers from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin regarding whether Elon Musk or other commercial satellite providers restricted the Ukrainian military's access to communication networks and whether the Defense Department has the authority to intervene, following reports in Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk that he prevented the Ukrainian armed forces from using Starlink satellite communication terminals to attack Russian ships in Russian-held southern Ukraine.
The Senate Committee on Armed Services is planning to investigate Elon Musk over his decision to shut off access to SpaceX's Starlink in Crimea during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, questioning the extent of Musk's control over the use of his network and the potential national security risks posed by contractors independently discontinuing services.
Elon Musk refused to allow Ukraine to use SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications to launch a surprise drone submarine attack on Russian forces in Crimea, citing concerns of a nuclear response from Russia. This decision has drawn praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin and has prompted a Senate probe into Musk's actions. Additionally, Musk is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss artificial intelligence. However, Musk is also facing accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on his social media platform.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has been awarded its first confirmed contract by the Pentagon for its Starshield network, a military-specific version of its Starlink satellite internet system, with a one-year contract valued at up to $70 million.
Elon Musk faces backlash for mocking Ukrainian President Zelensky's requests for foreign aid amidst Russia's invasion.
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/ZXWOV3O7XFKUXJOQXB4MT2OUCU.jpg)