Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Musk cut internet to Ukraine’s military as it was attacking Russian fleet
The Washington Post ^ | September 7, 2023 | Christian Davenport

Posted on 09/07/2023 9:41:21 PM PDT by KingofZion

SpaceX cut off Starlink satellite internet service to Ukrainian submarine drones last year just as they were launching an attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, according to a new biography of SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

The new details of the previously reported incident underscore how dependent multiple governments have become on a man who controls both a dominant means of high-speed communication and a major platform for public discourse, X.

The armed submarine drones were poised to attack the Russian fleet, according to a CNN report that cited an excerpt of a forthcoming biography of Musk by Walter Isaacson, the former chief executive of CNN. Instead, according to the book, which goes on sale Tuesday, the drones “lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly.”

Ukrainian and American officials scrambled to get service restored, according to the report, appealing to Musk directly. Musk eventually agreed.

But the recounting of the incident is a reminder of that the SpaceX founder amassed enormous influence because his competitors proved incapable of keeping up with a dizzying pace of innovation. That influence shows the delicate balance government must navigate when companies innovate faster than their competitors — or the government itself.

***

SpaceX started providing Starlink internet service to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, creating a lifeline for the country when its communications systems had largely been knocked out. But according to Isaacson’s book, Musk grew concerned about Ukraine’s military using them for offensive purposes, according to the CNN report.

“How am I in this war? Musk asked,” according to Isaacson. “Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars. It was so people can watch Netflix and chill and get online for school and do peaceful things, not drone strikes.”

***MORE

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Ukraine; War
KEYWORDS: 20230907; blackseafleet; bookdeals; christiandavenport; circularreporting; cnn; davenport; elon; ismellbs; itexists; marionawfal; moremadeupcrap; readthetweet; starlink; tweetisaccurate; walterisaacson; waronmusk; washingtonpost; washpo
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last
Why is the US government assisting Ukraine in targeting Russian navy? That does not seem like a good idea.
1 posted on 09/07/2023 9:41:21 PM PDT by KingofZion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Sounds too close to actively participating in war against Russia. What will be the payback?


2 posted on 09/07/2023 9:44:15 PM PDT by Reno89519 (DeSantis 2024. Successful Governor, Honorable Veteran, Respectful, Respected.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

“Why is the US government assisting Ukraine in targeting Russian navy? That does not seem like a good idea.”

Thankfully Musk put a stop to that crap.


3 posted on 09/07/2023 9:44:18 PM PDT by BobL (I eat at McDonald's and shop at Walmart, I just don't tell anyone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

It’s not, and asking a private business to entangle themselves is even dumber.
But don’t worry, the ww3 cheerleading squad will be along shortly to tell us we’re putin shills for noticing this is stupid.


4 posted on 09/07/2023 9:45:50 PM PDT by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

This is bull.

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4180832/posts


5 posted on 09/07/2023 9:48:25 PM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin (The road to tyranny is paved with compliance )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Anyone else noticing that the government, the mainstream media and their establishment compadres all seem to be going after Musk now.

Even the FAA is foot dragging on approvals for Musk;s second Starship launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4espEhRD-qs


6 posted on 09/07/2023 9:53:29 PM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA. -PRO-MAX)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Interesting Musk knows when the Uks are attacking. That is more than passive monitoring of the data uplinks.


7 posted on 09/07/2023 9:55:33 PM PDT by Salvavida
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

No, he didn’t

It was not even up and running at the time

Musk addressed thus LIE yesterday


8 posted on 09/07/2023 9:57:25 PM PDT by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Industrial warfare complex is digging for aanything...f k em


9 posted on 09/07/2023 10:02:42 PM PDT by mythenjoseph (Always tired but so grateful American !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Be careful, Elon. That sounds like playing favorites.
It’s a little too obvious.


10 posted on 09/07/2023 10:08:03 PM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

If Ukes are about to take Crimea, Putin will use a tactical nuke. It is that or his dead body in the morgue an hour later. Musk was right.


11 posted on 09/07/2023 10:08:14 PM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: House Atreides

“Anyone else noticing that the government, the mainstream media and their establishment compadres all seem to be going after Musk now.

Even the FAA is foot dragging on approvals for Musk;s second Starship launch.”

Yes, I have. I logged into here just to state what you already eloquently said. thank you.


12 posted on 09/07/2023 10:09:17 PM PDT by Chani
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: House Atreides

Yes, I noticed.


13 posted on 09/07/2023 10:17:18 PM PDT by Macho MAGA Man (The last two weren't balloons. One was a cylindrical objects )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Sounds like they want to arrest Musk too.


14 posted on 09/07/2023 10:19:14 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Darksheare

If the story wasn’t fake, maybe they would.


15 posted on 09/07/2023 10:22:31 PM PDT by roving (👌⚓Deplorable Listless Vessel with Trumpitist who looks Trumpish)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

It’s all about power, for both Russia and USA.


16 posted on 09/07/2023 10:25:32 PM PDT by DavidThomas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Darksheare

“But don’t worry, the ww3 cheerleading squad will be along shortly to tell us we’re putin shills for noticing this is stupid.”

That’s nothing. I got accused of this yesterday on another thread by one of them: “However, I certainly can empathize with the extreme cruelty the people of Ukraine have endured from this Putin invasion.
I am amazed that you take a side against these Ukrainian victims.”


17 posted on 09/07/2023 10:33:22 PM PDT by rxh4n1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

More made up nonsense. CNNs’ Isaacson would not be in a position to know.


18 posted on 09/07/2023 10:43:51 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Darksheare

“It’s not, and asking a private business to entangle themselves is even dumber.”

This has little to do with Ukraine. And everything to do with letting Musk know he is no better than Jack Ma and Biden is no better than Xi.


19 posted on 09/07/2023 10:45:45 PM PDT by ModelBreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BobL

Unlikely that Musk did anything of the sort. This is a fabricated story, from a paper partially owned by a guy who sympathizes with normalizing relations with Iran, about a claim made in a book written by a guy who once ran the Communist News Network, which used to help cover up Saddam Hussein’s atrocities even to the betrayal of one of their own reporters on the ground, who was tortured by the regime.
The purpose of the story is to smear Musk, whose companies compete against major Democratic donors, as an Enemy of the State like everyone else they associate with Trump. And to gin up interest in a book by one of their own so he can rake in cash.


20 posted on 09/07/2023 10:53:30 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson