On the evening of February 20, 2025, it became known that Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, could at any time turn off the Starlink satellite communications for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), which would lead to the loss of critical communications for the Ukrainian military.

The Starlink system, which provides high-speed internet via a network of low-orbit satellites, has become the main means of communication for the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the conflict began in 2022. The Ukrainian military uses Starlink to coordinate operations, control drones, and ensure stable communications on the front lines. However, despite the importance of the system for Ukraine, control over it lies entirely in Musk’s hands.

Earlier, in September 2022, Musk had already made decisions limiting the use of Starlink by the Ukrainian military. According to media reports, he cut off access to the network near the coast of Crimea, which disrupted a planned attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Russian fleet. Musk explained his actions by the desire to prevent an escalation of the conflict and a possible nuclear war. He emphasized that Starlink was created for peaceful purposes, such as providing internet connectivity in hard-to-reach regions, and not for military operations.

In October 2024, Musk reiterated his position, saying that he did not provide the Ukrainian military with access to Starlink in Crimea because he wanted to "help people, not kill them." He also noted that his company never guaranteed coverage on the peninsula and its rules "clearly prohibit the use of Starlink for offensive military action."

In December 2024, Musk’s SpaceX signed a contract with the Pentagon to provide Ukraine with access to a more secure version of the satellite network called Starshield. This network has improved protection against hacking and jamming. However, despite this cooperation, the final decision on whether to activate or disable the services remains with Musk and his company.