Elon Musk reportedly ordered a Starlink communications blackout over parts of Ukraine during a pivotal 2022 counteroffensive, disrupting battlefield operations and raising concerns over private control of wartime infrastructure. Ukrainian forces reportedly lost critical capabilities as they attempted to retake Russian-held territory in Kherson.
WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — Billionaire Elon Musk allegedly ordered a communications shutdown via Starlink satellites across Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine during a key 2022 military campaign, according to a new report from Reuters. The move reportedly crippled Ukrainian military operations, sowed confusion among field commanders, and ultimately stalled a strategic encirclement effort in the Kherson region.
Three individuals with knowledge of the incident told the outlet that Musk personally directed SpaceX engineer Michael Nicolls to implement the blackout. The directive, issued from California in late September 2022, caused more than 100 terminals to go offline. The communications cutoff impaired Ukrainian drone surveillance, artillery coordination, and encrypted battlefield messaging systems.
“We have to do this,” Nicolls reportedly told colleagues, relaying Musk’s command.
The episode, previously unreported, occurred as Ukrainian forces advanced on Beryslav, aiming to trap Russian troops. Instead, the operation unraveled.
“The encirclement stalled entirely. It failed,” a Ukrainian military official told Reuters.
Civilian Tech and Wartime Power
The incident underscores the unprecedented role of private infrastructure in modern warfare—and the immense discretion wielded by unelected individuals like Musk. One source noted that Musk’s unilateral decision left engineers at SpaceX deeply uneasy, reflecting the reality that a single individual could alter the course of a foreign war.
The sources claim Musk’s decision may have been influenced by fears that a successful Ukrainian push could provoke a nuclear response from Moscow, a concern he has publicly voiced in the past.
Starlink’s Role in the War
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Starlink has become indispensable to Ukraine’s military and civilian communications. Its satellite terminals allow frontline units to operate beyond the reach of Russian jamming and traditional infrastructure failures.
In response to Reuters, SpaceX disputed the account but offered little specificity.
“The report is inaccurate,” a company spokesperson wrote via email, pointing instead to an earlier post by Musk asserting that “Starlink is fully committed to providing service to Ukraine.”
However, the spokesperson did not elaborate on what was inaccurate, nor did they answer detailed questions about the incident or clarify Starlink’s policies in conflict zones.
Both Musk and Nicolls declined to comment. The Ukrainian presidential office and Defense Ministry have also remained silent.
Accountability in the Age of Technocracy
The Starlink blackout raises difficult questions about private-sector accountability, especially in geopolitical conflicts where military success may depend on commercial technology. Critics argue that Musk’s decision—whether well-intentioned or not—highlights the risks of outsourcing national security infrastructure to corporate actors.
As Starlink’s integration into global military operations continues, including rumored applications in Taiwan and the Middle East, the episode may mark a turning point in debates over the civil-military boundary in the 21st century.
Can a democratic society afford to leave wartime communications in the hands of a private individual?
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