Musk’s SpaceX Prevented Russia From Using Starlink Units Captured In Ukraine
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that his company has successfully blocked the Russian military from using Starlink satellite-internet terminals seized in Ukraine, a move Ukrainian officials and SpaceX say has effectively shut down unauthorized access.
Musk announced the development in a post on X, stating that SpaceX had taken direct action to prevent Russia from exploiting Starlink technology and that the measures appear to be working so far. He encouraged users to report any additional issues if further steps are needed.
The statement follows recent reports from Ukrainian officials that Russian forces had been using Starlink connectivity after capturing terminals in occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities said they raised the issue directly with Musk and coordinated with SpaceX to develop a technical fix that denies service to devices not authorized for use in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that Kyiv is working closely with SpaceX to ensure only approved Starlink terminals are able to operate within Ukrainian territory, calling the early results encouraging.
“Ukraine, together with Starlink, has already taken the first steps that delivered rapid results in countering Russian drones,” Fedorov wrote on X. “The next step is implementing a system that will allow only authorized terminals to operate on the territory of Ukraine.”
Starlink has played a critical role in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing vital internet connectivity for civilians, emergency services, and military operations after traditional communications infrastructure was damaged or destroyed.
“Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked. Let us know if more needs to be done,” Musk replied on X.
SpaceX reiterated that it does not sell Starlink services in Russia and has never conducted business with the Russian government or military. The company said it continues to explore additional safeguards to prevent its technology from being exploited by hostile or unauthorized actors.
The Starlink controversy comes amid renewed diplomatic activity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that new peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are scheduled to take place this week.
“Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Musk appear to have fully reconciled after a brief public falling out last year tied to DOGE-related spending cuts. Both men have said the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted them to set aside past disagreements.
Their reconciliation was publicly underscored at Kirk’s funeral, where Trump and Musk were seen shaking hands. A lip reader later told reporters that Trump appeared to tell Musk he had missed him since their disagreement.
The two were later spotted together in a private box at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where an estimated 78,000 people gathered to honor the slain Turning Point USA co-founder. Photos of the moment were later posted by both Musk and the White House with the same caption: “For Charlie.”
Lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that Trump warmly greeted Musk by asking, “How are you doing?” before saying, “So Elon, I’ve heard you wanted to chat,” and adding, “Let’s try and work out how to get back on track.”
According to Hickling, Trump then appeared to say, “I’ve missed you,” after Musk nodded in agreement.
The reconciliation was made official in December, when Musk and President Trump met for dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump later described the meeting as cordial, while Musk acknowledged it publicly on social media, signaling an end to months of visible tension.
Musk has since resumed financial support for Republican political candidates.