In a high-profile and contentious exchange on social media, tech billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio found themselves at odds with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the Starlink satellite internet system's role and reliability in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war. The dialogue erupted on Sunday after Musk remarked on the importance of Starlink, stating it was crucial for the Ukrainian military's operations.
Musk asserted that if he were to turn off the service, it would severely cripple Ukraine's defenses, saying, “Their entire front line would collapse.” Sikorski quickly countered, noting that Poland had been footing the bill for Starlink, amounting to about $50 million annually, leading him to imply that if Musk was serious about shutting it down, Poland would find alternative internet providers.
Rubio responded by defending Musk, dismissing Sikorski's comments as fictitious. He insisted that there were no threats to sever connections with Starlink and that Poland should express gratitude for the service’s role in preventing a more perilous situation where Russia could have advanced further into Europe.
Defending his position, Musk referred to Sikorski as a “small man,” asserting that Poland was only contributing a minimal fraction of the overall costs associated with maintaining Ukraine's access to Starlink. The discussion reflects the tension and critical reliance on satellite communications amidst the conflict, as thousands of Starlink terminals facilitate communications for Ukraine’s military operations.
Starlink has become an essential component in the communication infrastructure since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with many terminals deployed, including a purchase of around 500 by the U.S. Department of Defence earlier this year.
Musk asserted that if he were to turn off the service, it would severely cripple Ukraine's defenses, saying, “Their entire front line would collapse.” Sikorski quickly countered, noting that Poland had been footing the bill for Starlink, amounting to about $50 million annually, leading him to imply that if Musk was serious about shutting it down, Poland would find alternative internet providers.
Rubio responded by defending Musk, dismissing Sikorski's comments as fictitious. He insisted that there were no threats to sever connections with Starlink and that Poland should express gratitude for the service’s role in preventing a more perilous situation where Russia could have advanced further into Europe.
Defending his position, Musk referred to Sikorski as a “small man,” asserting that Poland was only contributing a minimal fraction of the overall costs associated with maintaining Ukraine's access to Starlink. The discussion reflects the tension and critical reliance on satellite communications amidst the conflict, as thousands of Starlink terminals facilitate communications for Ukraine’s military operations.
Starlink has become an essential component in the communication infrastructure since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with many terminals deployed, including a purchase of around 500 by the U.S. Department of Defence earlier this year.
