Elon Musk reaffirms that Starlink will never shut down in Ukraine, calling the service essential for military communications amid rising geopolitical tensions.
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| Starlink’s vital role in Ukraine’s war efforts is reaffirmed by Elon Musk, who dismisses concerns about service cuts and asserts the technology's importance for the military. Image: ChicHue |
Kyiv, Ukraine — March 10, 2025:
Elon Musk has once again assured that Starlink will never shut down in Ukraine, despite rising concerns and political tensions. On March 9, the tech billionaire took to social media to clarify his stance, stating, "Starlink will never turn off its terminals," emphasizing that the satellite internet system is integral to Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts, report Kyiv Independent, and RT.
Musk went on to call Starlink the "backbone" of Ukraine’s military communications, warning that cutting off the service would cause the collapse of the entire frontline. He criticized suggestions that Starlink might cease operations, specifically responding to remarks from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who had indicated that Poland would seek alternative internet providers if SpaceX was deemed unreliable.
In defense of Musk, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that without Starlink, Ukraine would have lost the war, a view that was supported by Musk, who responded with a sharp remark: “Be quiet, small man. You pay a tiny fraction of the cost.”
Currently, Poland funds approximately half of Ukraine’s 42,000 Starlink terminals, at a cost of around $50 million annually. Concerns about potential Starlink service cuts emerged in February after a Reuters report suggested that the U.S. government had threatened to suspend the service unless Ukraine signed an agreement related to natural resources. However, Musk has denied these claims and emphasized that Starlink will not be used as a political tool.
The ongoing tensions underscore the critical role Starlink plays in Ukraine’s defense and communication infrastructure, particularly given that the Russian military has developed the capability to jam conventional communication methods. Musk’s commitment to keeping Starlink operational is a direct response to these high-stakes concerns.