Elon Musk has again publicly called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave office, as concerns grow in Kyiv over reported restrictions affecting satellite services used in the country's war effort.
"It is time for Zelensky to go," Musk said, renewing criticism of the Ukrainian leader at a time when questions are mounting over continued US support for Kyiv.
Musk, whose satellite network plays a significant role in Ukraine's military communications, also wrote on X that "the slaughter continues" unless Zelensky leaves office.
Concerns over satellite restrictions
Ukraine said it is experiencing restrictions affecting satellite services linked to SpaceX, creating problems for both unmanned aerial vehicles and air defence systems.
The reported disruptions have raised concerns about the reliability of battlefield communications that have become increasingly important throughout the war.
Musk blames US government
Musk responded by insisting that any slowdown or restrictions are the result of actions by the US government, not SpaceX.
The billionaire drew a distinction between Starshield, the military-focused satellite service used by Ukraine for frontline operations and defence, and Starlink, which is intended for civilian use.
Both services operate through the wider satellite network developed by SpaceX.
Starshield and Starlink
According to Musk, the systems serve different purposes:
- Starshield is designed for military and government applications.
- Starlink is intended primarily for civilian communications.
His comments came amid growing scrutiny of the role privately owned satellite infrastructure plays in modern warfare and the extent to which governments and private companies influence access to such systems.
Source: ANA-MPA
