Starlink provides critical internet connectivity to Ukrainians and its armed forces who depend on it to operate drones, a vital element of its military strategy.
Mikael Skillt, a former Ukrainian special forces operative who fought the Russian invasion until recently said that losing access to Starlink would be a “clusterf**k” which would leave hospitals, critical infrastructure and military units without communications.
Earlier last month, US negotiators pressing for a critical mineral deal with Ukraine were reported by Reuters to have raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to Starlink in meetings with Zelensky. At the time Musk denied the reports.
Musk said Zelenksy wants a ‘forever war’
“This is evil,” he added.
UK intelligence officials are monitoring the situation closely and preparing to step in where they can plug any gaps left by a US intelligence drop-out from Ukraine.
A Ukrainian Government official warned if the US pulled access to Starlink as part of the directive it would put Ukrainians in further danger and cut key military communications.
Speaking to reporters, Waltz added the US is “pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship”.
Alexander Khara, a former advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, said the move will “cost human lives and territory in Ukraine.
“The overall effect on the battlefield is remained to be seen but I fear it will cost us human lives and bits of territory.”
A Ukrainian soldier uses the Starlink system during military exercises in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine, June 2023 (Photo: Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto)“I would switch into another solution like OneWeb,” he said. “Being reliant on a solution that isn’t 100% trustworthy, isn’t a very good solution.”
“We are actively collaborating with European institutions and business partners to enable the swift deployment of additional user terminals for critical missions and infrastructure,” the company said.
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“Some of the intelligence products given to us daily by the US are vital to our work,” they said. “It is possible that the UK could step up but it is hard to know exactly what they would be willing to offer.”
Musk rushed thousands of Starlink terminals to Ukraine to replace communications services destroyed by Russia after its February 2022 invasion. The service has become a backbone of military operations in the country, allowing units to communicate with one another. The satellite systems are financed partly by the US Department of Defence while around half of the 42,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine are paid for by Poland.
A US official said that despite the Trump administration’s decision to cut intelligence ties with Kyiv “back channels” would be used to make sure key information was reaching the country.
Trump uses intelligence as bargaining chip
He said: “If the US does take away this stuff it means Russia can attack without being stopped. My concern is that NATO would have to step up and the extent to which we step up might antagonise Russia and they might have to call our bluff.
Drummond added: “US agencies are deeply involved in some of the secretive operations and even if Trump orders everyone out today, they would not be able to pack up and leave on the spot … I would honestly be more nervous if Europe pulled out”
Last week, this newspaper revealed that UK security service officials have sought assurances on the way intelligence is being used and disseminated by US counterparts amid growing concern over the US President’s shifting foreign policy.
The UK Foreign Office was approached for comment.
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