Democratic lawmakers are probing SpaceX over Russia’s reported use of Starlink in Ukraine, saying that recent developments raise questions about SpaceX’s “compliance with US sanctions and export controls.”
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk last month denied what he called “false news reports [that] claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia,” saying that, “to the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.” But Musk’s statement didn’t satisfy US Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who sent a letter to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell yesterday.
“Starlink is an invaluable resource for Ukrainians in their fight against Russia’s brutal and illegitimate invasion. It is alarming that Russia may be obtaining and using your technology to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian troops in illegally occupied regions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls,” Raskin and Garcia wrote.
Musk has also stated that “Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia.” However, the concerns raised by Rankin and Garcia are about whether Russia used the broadband service in Ukraine. Their letter said that Ukraine last month “released intercepted audio communications between Russian soldiers that indicated Russian forces had illegally deployed and activated Starlink terminals in certain Russian-occupied areas in Eastern Ukraine.”
TL Actually read it, Yes.
I didn’t say he deactivated it.
I said he specifically declined to activate it for Ukraine when requested.
He makes no such qualms about Russia using his service.
The question in the title is: “Did Elon Musk Turn Off Starlink Access in Crimea To Disrupt Ukrainian Attack?”
The answer is no.
It’s a bit of a non-sequitur though, the context was denying service to an ally not cutting off existing service to Crimea. It’s like if someone asked “Have you ever shaken a baby” and you respond “I have never kicked this baby!”. Sure, it’s good that you haven’t kicked a baby, but that’s just not the question.
Why tf did you post that article if not to refute the assertion that he denied service? It doesn’t matter what the title of the article you posted is if it’s a total non-sequitur.
The vast majority of people are under the impression that Elon disabled Starlink there and when someone makes a comment like the one I replied to this is what they’re thinking about. The article I linked is there to educate these people. I’d be willing to bet that the person I was replying to was under this same impression aswell but obviously I can’t be sure about that. Only he knows.