SpaceX has restricted Ukraine’s ability to use its satellite internet service for military purposes – after reports that Kyiv used it to control drones.
Early in the war, Ukraine was given thousands of SpaceX Starlink dishes – which attach to satellites and help people stay connected to the Internet.
But it is also said to have used the tech to target Russian positions – breaking policies set by SpaceX.
A Ukrainian official said companies have to choose which “side” they are on.
They can side with Ukraine and the “right to independence,” or choose Russia and “its ‘right’ to kill and occupy territories,” presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak tweeted.
At an event in Washington DC on Wednesday, SpaceX President Gwen Shotwell explained that Starlink technology was “never meant to be a weapon”.
He cited Ukraine’s alleged use of Starlink to control drones, and emphasized that the equipment was provided for humanitarian purposes.
Drones have played an important role in the war, used by Kyiv to search for Russian troops, drop bombs and counter Moscow’s own drone strikes.
Russia has been accused by SpaceX founder Elon Musk of trying to jam Starlink signals.
Ms Shotwell confirmed that it was acceptable for the Ukrainian military to deploy “Starlink technology for COMMS”, but said they had “never intended to use it for offensive purposes”.
He said the company had taken steps to “limit” the ability of Ukraine’s armed forces to use Starlink offensively – without giving further details.
The executive said she could not answer a question about whether those efforts were the reason for the shutdown of Starlink service late last year.
After attacking its neighbor in February last year, Russia immediately considered shutting down local internet services and blocking social media.
The first StarLink dishes – or terminals – were soon delivered to Ukraine, in an effort to ensure people stayed connected.
They work by connecting to satellites in low Earth orbit.
Along with terminals shipped directly by the company itself, others have been funded by foreign governments.
In October, Mr. Musk indicated that he could not continue funding StarLink in Ukraine, before quickly reversing his position.
In a tweet last week, the billionaire once again addressed the issue and acknowledged that there is a dilemma at work.
SpaceX Starlink has become Ukraine’s connectivity backbone to all routes. It’s damned if you participate,” he wrote.
“However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes. Damned if you don’t participate.”
