Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for an investigation following allegations that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk limited access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, thus curbing a Ukrainian military operation. The claim, detailed in a biography of Musk by Walter Isaacson, suggests that Musk disrupted a Ukrainian drone sneak attack on Russia’s Black Sea fleet by disconnecting Starlink. Warren stated that Congress should investigate the incident to ensure that foreign policy is conducted by the government and not by one billionaire.
Isaacson, in an interview with CNBC, further explained that developing a military-grade version of Starlink could address concerns raised by Musk and Tesla regarding the satellite network’s use in combat. The book reveals that Musk had expressed support for a controlled military version of Starlink, and Isaacson agrees that this would be the appropriate outcome.
The incident in question occurred after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s top aide criticized Musk, alleging that by allowing Starlink interference, Musk had prevented Ukrainian drones from destroying part of the Russian military fleet. The aide claimed that this enabled the fleet to fire missiles at Ukrainian cities, resulting in casualties and deaths.
Musk responded to the criticism, stating that the Starlink regions relevant to the attack were not activated at the time and had not been deactivated by SpaceX. He also called for a truce between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that the loss of life over small pieces of land with borders was not worth it.
Musk had originally intended Starlink for peaceful purposes, such as providing connectivity for education and entertainment. He expressed concerns that the Ukrainian attack could have triggered a major escalation, potentially leading to a nuclear war. Musk emphasized that he did not wish for Starlink to be involved in wars and drone strikes.
The allegations against Musk have sparked calls for an investigation to ensure transparency and accountability in matters of foreign policy.