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What if Starlink Goes Dark Over Ukraine?
The last time I wrote an article that was critical of Elon Musk, nearly half of my audience here came to his defense. This illustrates the power of the cult of personality: when a public figure is excessively glorified to the point where their image becomes heroic — they attract cultists.
Of course, this was before we all knew he was a full-blown nazi, much more dangerous than Donald Trump because unlike Trump who is asset-rich and cash-poor, Elon has a Scrooge McDuck-sized money vault.
Now, Elon Musk is once again at the center of the Ukraine war debate, this time suggesting that if he were to pull the plug on Starlink, Ukraine’s front lines would collapse.
Naturally, this sparked a diplomatic spat, some chest-thumping, and plenty of social media bickering. But beyond the drama, let’s break down what’s actually at stake here.
The Backbone of Ukraine’s War Effort
First, he’s not wrong. Removing Starlink access would be devastating to Ukraine’s war effort.
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has been pivotal for Ukraine’s military and civilian infrastructure. With roughly 42,000 terminals in operation, the system keeps communication flowing between soldiers, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations.
Without it, Ukrainian forces would have to rely on traditional communication methods — many of which Russia can easily jam or intercept.
On the battlefield, Starlink enables real-time data sharing for reconnaissance, artillery coordination, and drone operations. Ukraine’s Delta Battlefield Management System — a sophisticated command-and-control platform — relies on Starlink to integrate intelligence from satellites, drones, and electronic warfare sources.
This allows Ukrainian commanders to make quick, informed decisions in an environment where seconds matter.
Drones, both in the air and at sea, are another critical asset tied to Starlink. Ukraine has successfully used long-range drones for surveillance, direct attacks, and naval operations in the Black Sea.
Many of these UAVs, including hybrid models that switch between autonomous cruise and manual FPV control, depend on Starlink for…
