THIS IS HUGE: Ukraine’s military suddenly lost full access to Starlink overnight, and Republican Senator Thom Tillis is demanding Elon Musk explain himself
Ukraine said Wednesday that its military lost access to the military version of Starlink, which it relies on for vital communications, according to The Hill.
SpaceX had imposed speed limits overnight. According to a source familiar, the limits stopped Ukraine from using Starlink on anything moving faster than 100 mph, like drones and aircraft, hampering its ability to intercept Russian drones.
Zelensky didn’t mince words. “People will die, of course, if attacks will continue and if Starlink will not work,” he said.
That’s when Tillis stepped in
“Please tell me these overnight disruptions to Starlink terminals in Ukraine were unintended,” he wrote to Musk on X.
Then he went further.
“Intentionally degrading Ukraine’s ability to defend itself might be construed as aiding and abetting a mass murder,” Tillis warned. “Can you confirm that’s not SpaceX’s intent?”
“Supporting Ukrainian sovereignty, or at the very least, allowing for it, should not be a gray area for the U.S. government or for American corporations,” he wrote.
Later Wednesday, Ukraine’s former defense minister said some connectivity was being restored. And Musk said decisions to restrict the military network are up to the president.
This comes just days after Trump cut a diesel deal with Putin and demanded Ukraine replace Zelensky. Tillis was one of the senators who said that deal runs directly counter to the law.
Once again, he isn’t waiting for permission.
Thank you, Senator Tillis, for standing up for Ukraine when so many in your own party won’t.