Elon Musk Says Starlink Fighting Russian Cyberwar: ‘They’re Ramping up Their Efforts’

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - MAY 6: (EDITORS NOTE: A long exposure was used to create this image) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch complex 39A on May 6, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was carrying another batch of Starlink internet satellites to be deployed to a growing low obit constellation providing Internet access coverage to 32 countries. Photo by Red Huber/Getty Images

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk said SpaceX’s high-speed internet service, Starlink, has held out against Russia’s cyberwar tactics amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

What Happened

Musk said on Tuesday that Starlink has resisted Russia’s “jamming & hacking attempts,” even as the Vladimir Putin-led country is ramping up efforts.

The billionaire entrepreneur linked his comment to a Reuters report that said Russia was behind a massive cyberattack against a satellite internet network that took tens of thousands of modems offline at the onset of the war.

Why It Matters

SpaceX has donated thousands of satellite internet kits to Ukraine since the country’s plea to Musk in February to provide those stations.

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov earlier this month said Starlink has around 150,000 active users per day.

The service beams down high-speed internet via satellites in orbit to Earth, especially to remote areas, including those ravaged by war or natural calamity.

Musk was reportedly close to commercially launching Starlink in Ukraine months ahead of Russia’s invasion.

Starlink has plans to launch 4,425 satellites in orbit by 2024.

By Rachit Vats

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