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A recent report has highlighted Elon Musk’s influence over the United States government through his ties to Ukrainian internet access. Musk, who holds an executive role at SpaceX, has been able to exert control due to his company’s provision of internet access to Ukraine.

During the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine heavily relies on internet connectivity for strategic planning and defense against the invading forces. For a significant period, SpaceX provided internet access to Ukraine. However, as the Ukrainian military advanced into contested territories, they lost their internet connection.

Further complicating the situation, SpaceX reportedly threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to the internet unless the government paid for the service. The estimated bill for this service was around 0 million annually. This move created concerns among defense officials, as Musk had the power to withdraw internet access at any moment, severely impacting the operational capabilities of the Ukrainian forces.

News of Musk’s control over internet access has drawn comparisons to fictional James Bond villains on social media. People expressed their concerns regarding the immense power Musk wields. SpaceX deployed its Starlink terminals in Ukraine, which connect to a network of satellites via tripod-mounted dishes. While Russia may find it challenging to completely eliminate the thousands of Starlink units, Musk retains the ability to do so.

Surprisingly, individuals involved in the implementation of Starlink in Ukraine admitted they did not fully grasp the extent of Musk’s control. Their primary focus was on saving lives and providing much-needed communication during the conflict.

Despite SpaceX’s contribution of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, the company warned that they could not sustain this funding indefinitely. In a letter to the Pentagon, SpaceX expressed its inability to continue donating or funding terminals in the long term. These developments come as SpaceX, valued at nearly 0 billion, works with the US Department of Defense to finalize a satellite purchase contract.

While efforts are being made to ensure Ukraine has resilient satellite and communication capabilities, concerns linger about the extent of Musk’s influence through SpaceX’s control over Ukrainian internet access.

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