 "Elon Musk. File Image-Reuters")
US billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday (March 9) dropped another scathing warning for Kyiv, saying Ukraine’s frontline would crumble if he cut off their access to his Starlink satellite internet constellation.
Musk provided Ukraine with access to SpaceX’s Starlink system shortly after its communications services were destroyed by Russia in 2022. Experts believe Starlink is essential to mount Ukraine’s drone attack and shutdown of the service would be a real setback.
‘I literally challenged Putin’
On Sunday, Musk made the remarks while responding to criticism that he was focused on chastising Ukraine but not Russia and its President Vladimir Putin.
" I literally challenged Putin to one on one physical combat over Ukraine and my Starlink system is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. Their entire front line would collapse if I turned it off," Musk wrote on his X platform.
“What I am sickened by is years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose,” he continued. “Anyone who really cares, really thinks and really understands wants the meat grinder to stop. PEACE NOW!!”
The billionaire, who is also a top adviser to US President Donald Trump, further called for sanctions on Ukraine’s top 10 oligarchs, specifically targeting those with luxury properties in Monaco.
His remarks came after demonstrators displayed a massive Ukrainian flag near the White House. He also suggested that Ukrainian oligarchs were financially backing Democratic efforts.
“Place sanctions on the top 10 Ukrainian oligarchs, especially the ones with mansions in Monaco, and this will stop immediately. That is the key to the puzzle,” wrote Musk.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUS officials threatened Kyiv
Last month, it was reported that US officials were threatening Kyiv to cut off Ukrainian forces’ access to vital Starlink network to press it to sign the minerals deal. Ukraine last year was using 42,000 Starlink terminals, half of which were being funded by Poland.
Reuters quoted a source, familiar with discussions between US and Ukrainian officials over Starlink access, as saying that losing the satellite communication capacity would be a massive blow for Ukrainian forces.
“Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” said the source. “Losing Starlink … would be a massive blow.”
(With inputs from agencies)