Elon Musk, the influential entrepreneur and the world’s richest person, has been revealed to have made a controversial decision regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. According to a newly published biography by Walter Issacson, Musk refused to allow Ukraine to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications for a surprise drone submarine attack on Russian forces in Crimea.
Musk’s refusal stemmed from his concerns that such an attack would prompt Russia to respond with a nuclear strike. He believed that launching an attack on Crimea, which Russia had annexed in 2014, would be reckless and potentially disastrous. As a result, he decided not to provide Starlink coverage to the Crimean coast.
This decision generated frantic calls and texts from the Ukrainian military, requesting Musk to reconsider. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, personally reached out to Musk, urging him to enable the coverage. Despite these pleas, Musk stood firm in his decision.
The controversy surrounding Musk’s actions drew the attention of high-ranking US officials, including President Biden’s national security adviser and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Musk’s refusal to extend the Starlink network for the Ukrainian attack raised national security concerns and prompted an investigation by the Senate Armed Services committee.
While some criticized Musk for his decision, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised him, referring to him as “an outstanding person” during an economic forum. This incident has not diminished Musk’s influence on global affairs, as he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss artificial intelligence during the latter’s visit to the United States.
However, Musk’s influence has also faced controversy. The Anti-Defamation League accused him of tolerating and spreading antisemitic messages on his social media platform, X. They claimed that Musk engaged with neo-Nazis and white supremacists, amplifying their messages of hate.
Elon Musk’s decision regarding Ukraine-Russia conflict has brought his immense power and influence into the spotlight. It has also raised questions about the role of private citizens in shaping national security matters. The probe initiated by the Senate indicates the seriousness of the situation and the need for accountability in such decisions that impact international relations.