Aditya DidwaniyaThe Atlantic reports that Elon Musk’s stance on Ukraine has shifted from generous Starlink support to open criticism of Kyiv.
American businessman Elon Musk, who backed Ukraine at the start of the conflict, has sharply changed his stance toward Kyiv. The shift was reported by The Atlantic magazine.
From Generous Backer to Vocal Critic
Back in 2022, Musk supplied Ukraine with thousands of Starlink terminals. The devices were meant for hospitals, power stations, and government offices. That early support once made Musk a hero to many Ukrainians. Today, his tone toward Ukraine looks very different.
Military Use Changed the Picture
Ukrainian armed forces began using the Starlink terminals for military purposes. According to the magazine, this use is what changed the businessman’s outlook on the conflict. It eventually pushed Musk to limit military use of his civilian satellite system. The magazine summed up the shift this way:
”His views on Ukraine have shifted from generous support to overt hostility.”, the publication states.
Zelensky Fires Back
Last Friday, Musk claimed that Ukrainian elites are enriching themselves through foreign financial aid. Zelensky responded with a complaint about Musk personally and about the Starlink restrictions imposed on Kyiv.
A Warning Over the Front Line
In late October, Musk accused Ukraine’s armed forces of breaching the satellite system’s terms of use. At the same time, he warned that Ukraine’s front line would collapse instantly without Starlink access.
Akshay Didwaniya
Pratik Agrawal
