Elon Musk considered shutting down Ukrainian access to Starlink after 'great conversation with Putin'

Elon Musk said he sees «the whole war» unfolding; via Starlink Activity Map Photo: ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

Elon Musk considered withdrawing Starlink satellite internet from Ukraine because he feared he would be seen as a warmonger in Russia, a former Pentagon official said.

< The 52-year-old billionaire of South African origin expressed concern after the Ukrainian military reported a power outage near the front line separating them from the Russian occupiers.

Colin Kahl, until recently served as the US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs. month, was accused of brokering a deal to prevent Musk from completely shutting down the system.

“If you turn this off, it won’t end the war,” Mr. Kahl recalled, speaking to the head of SpaceX, in an interview with The New Yorker.

«My conclusion was that he was nervous that Russia increasingly viewed Starlink's involvement as an aid to the Ukrainian war effort and was looking for a way to assuage Russian concerns,» the former added. American official.

Ukrainian territorial defense near Kherson Front using Starlink system Photo: JULIAN SIMMONDS

Last year Musk was accused of publishing a Kremlin-friendly peace proposal , offering Ukraine to repeat the sovereignty referenda organized by Russia in the regions it occupies.

The blackouts were most strongly felt in Kherson, Zaporozhye, Lugansk and Donetsk regions. Four Ukrainian regions, some of which were occupied by Russian troops, were declared part of Russia after referendums orchestrated by Kremlin proxies.

Mr. Musk told Pentagon officials during Starlink talks that he held face-to-face talks with the president Russia by Vladimir Putin, according to The New Yorker.

Satellite terminals donated by Musk's SpaceX, as well as by the US government and private donors, have become vital to Ukrainian military communications.

>A «constellation» of satellites operated by Musk's SpaceX is used to coordinate drone and artillery strikes, broadcast live video from the battlefield, and gather intelligence.

Ukraine says the communications system is vital to their defense networks. Photo: ArmyInform

Mr. Musk boasted that he could see «the whole war unfolding» through a map of Starlink activity. He told Mr. Kahl that the live information made him doubt whether his satellite Internet system was being used for peaceful purposes or for warfare.

“It was about three minutes before he said: “Well, I had a great conversation with Putin,” Mr. Kahl said.

Offensive capabilities

The tech entrepreneur has longstanding concerns about using his system for offensive purposes. It was recently reported that he forced Ukraine to abandon a planned naval drone strike in the Black Sea by denying access to the Starlink network around occupied Crimea.

Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine's top general, said the success of his armed forces was dependent from constant access to the system.

Aides to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have previously tried to allay Musk's concerns by telling him the system is «about protecting, advancing and surviving,» a source told The Telegraph. .

Mr Musk also objected to the cost of providing the system, which was estimated at nearly $400 million (£310 million) over a 12-month period, according to the CNN report.

B June, the Pentagon announced an agreement with SpaceX to continue using the system in Ukraine, without disclosing the terms of the agreement.

The pact, which is believed to give Ukraine unlimited access to the system, is seen as a step away from Musk playing a significant role on the battlefield as Kiev's counteroffensive continues.

The Telegraph has reached out to representatives from Musk and SpaceX for comment.

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