Amid reports of Ukrainian plans to utilize drones to target a Russian naval vessel in the Black Sea, Elon Musk has denied Starlink satellite internet access to support the attack. Musk, who has been actively involved in restricting offensive use of Starlink during the ongoing war, intervened to prevent the incident from taking place.

Concerns Arise Over Musk’s Influence on the Conflict

General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, expressed concerns regarding Elon Musk’s influence in the war while discussing the matter with General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Starlink’s Dominance and Its Impact on Ukrainian Operations

With a significant presence in the satellite sector, Starlink now accounts for around 50% of all active satellites in orbit. Though the European Union has plans to establish its own satellite internet network, it will take time to become operational. Starlink has played a crucial role in Ukraine’s communications network, as Elon Musk provided it to them mostly free of charge. However, Musk has faced criticism for refraining from allowing offensive use of his technology, focusing only on defensive measures.

Conflict Escalates, Alongside the Use of Explosive Drones

As Ukraine faces difficulties in its counteroffensive against well-entrenched Russian forces, it has intensified strikes on the Russian mainland. Notably, explosive drones were utilized to target buildings in Moscow, and Ukraine unveiled a fleet of “sea drones” to target Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea.

Kremlin Issues Warning of Nuclear Retaliation

The Kremlin issued a warning that if Ukraine were to successfully recapture territories that it considers its own, Russia would possibly resort to deploying nuclear weapons in response.