Musk: Russia “May Kill Starlink”; White House And DoD Comment On SpaceX For Ukraine

Elon Musk went on another tweet spree overnight. Musk has given a communication lifeline to the Ukrainian military with the Starlink internet service operated by his rocket company, SpaceX. Musk appears to be increasingly frustrated with Ukraine after donating more than 20,000 satellite terminals and footing much of the bill, which is expected to cost $100 million by the end of the year and could exceed hundreds of millions of dollars in the next 12 months. 

Musk recently tweeted about a proposed controversial peace deal to avert nuclear armageddon, though he received tremendous flak from Ukrainian officials and ‘blue check’ warriors on Twitter. 

SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon last month, asking for funds to maintain the service in Ukraine because it’s draining resources from Starlink. The billionaire said his company’s goal is “not to go bankrupt.” 

He tweeted Friday night, “Starlink is the primary communications system of the Ukrainian army on the war front.” 

And even said: “If anyone else wants this job, please be my guest …” 

Starlink is the primary communications system of the Ukrainian army on the war front. If anyone else wants this job, please be my guest …

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022

Musk appears frustrated with Ukraine. Perhaps it wasn’t the right move for Ukrainian officials to bash the billionaire on social media for proposing a peace deal since he is providing free communications for the soldiers on the ground. 

Musk also didn’t sound too optimistic about the longevity of the service because “Russia is actively trying to kill Starlink. To safeguard, SpaceX has diverted massive resources towards defense,” adding: “Even so, Starlink may still die.” 

Big difference between peace comms vs warfront comms.

Starlink is only comms system still working at warfront – others all dead.

Russia is actively trying to kill Starlink. To safeguard, SpaceX has diverted massive resources towards defense.

Even so, Starlink may still die.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022

Musk, referring to the letter that was leaked to CNN, said: 

Strange that nothing was leaked about our competitors in space launch & communications, Lockheed & Boeing, who get over $60B … Wouldn’t be surprised to find this particular individual working there when he retires from DoD. Corruption at its finest.

Strange that nothing was leaked about our competitors in space launch & communications, Lockheed & Boeing, who get over $60B …

Wouldn’t be surprised to find this particular individual working there when he retires from DoD. Corruption at its finest.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2022

“Internet fiber, phone lines, cell towers & other space-based comms in war areas have been destroyed … Starlink is all that’s left. For now,” Musk continued. 

Internet fiber, phone lines, cell towers & other space-based comms in war areas have been destroyed.

Starlink is all that’s left. For now.https://t.co/CdjbOWgziz

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022

The talk about SpaceX asking for DoD funds made it to the White House press briefing earlier on Friday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters the Biden administration has considered SpaceX’s request. 

“Look, we understand the importance of these capabilities to ensure stable communications for Ukraine’s forces in particular,” Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre pointed to the Pentagon for additional questions about SpaceX. 

Then there was confirmation by Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, who said, “the department has been in communication with SpaceX regarding Starlink.” However, she declined to provide further details. 

Singh said DoD understands the “fragility” of the satellite internet service and the importance of “not just on the battlefield, but within the country itself.” 

One would assume it’s in the interest of the DoD to pick up the tab because it appears the free trial is over. 

Russian Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov commented on the situation and said a Ukraine without Starlink “is going to be a massive blow to the country’s defense capabilities … mainly because the service is used for “targeting” Russian assets. 

Dzhabarov said SpaceX is a “private company after all, and although it did everything [provided free Starlink services to Ukraine] at the request of the Pentagon, it couldn’t go on like this forever.”