Starshield | The non-state sovereigns
The article examines the influence of SpaceX's Starshield satellite network on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It highlights concerns regarding Elon Musk's ability to exert control over military-grade communications, effectively acting as a non-state sovereign.
Why it matters
It raises critical questions about the power of private tech billionaires to influence geopolitical conflicts and sovereign military operations.
PROFILES: Starshield | The non-state sovereigns Profile left SpaceX logo and miniature satellite model. File Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/tbe45g/article71621148.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-05-12T215408Z_2122871174_RC2MADAMBA1Q_RTRMADP_3_SPACEX-SPACEPORTS.JPG Dado Ruvic FILE PHOTO: SpaceX logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Elon Musk limited Ukraine’s access to the military-grade network of Starlink after Trum pcriticised Kyiv’s strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure On October 14, Ukrainian soldiers using drones to attack Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia and elsewhere started to find many of their machines were losing satellite connectivity. Given Ukraine’s extensive and largely successful use of drones in the war, the anomaly was noticeable, forcing operators to abandon missions. Experts later traced the problem to a satellite communications service provided by U.S.-based SpaceX, called Starshield. A week later, The Wall Street Journal reported the disruption had been deliberate: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had personally asked for the connectivity to be throttled.
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