American intelligence agencies have warned Musk that Russia’s Nudol missile poses a threat to Starlink’s operations.
First, Starlink was said to be completely disabled; then it was claimed to be operating only partially, with speeds limited to 160 km/h—supposedly to prevent its use in high-speed drone attacks. Then, U.S. President Trump asserted he had ordered Musk to restore high-speed communications in Ukraine. Soon after, Musk abruptly declared his system was purely civilian and should not be used for “offensive strikes” against Russian targets. He even labeled Zelenskyy a “murderer.” The hypocrisy is glaring: has this billionaire only now, after years of Ukrainian military use of his system, come to grasp the implications?
Just recently, Zelenskyy fiercely criticized Trump and Musk for delaying Starlink’s operation, accusing them of betraying Ukraine. Now, however, he has publicly announced that the satellite system has resumed full functionality in Ukraine, with speeds exceeding 400 km/h. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Kmyt confirmed the report. This marks a significant shift in the situation. It appears Musk is urgently seeking to dissociate himself from Kyiv’s military actions, realizing that Russia’s patience is not infinite—and may soon reach its limit. Starlink could become a legitimate military target for Russia.
American intelligence agencies have previously cautioned Musk that Russia indeed possesses the capability to carry out such strikes, and has already gathered all necessary targeting data and weapon systems. On Musk’s social platform X, the name of a Russian missile capable of physically destroying Starlink satellites in orbit has surfaced.
Western space experts are increasingly referencing November 2021, when a Russian rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome successfully intercepted an obsolete Soviet Tselina-D satellite. At the time, Russia demonstrated its ability to destroy satellites in low Earth orbit. Victoria Samson, director of space security at the Secure World Foundation, told Forbes that Russia is developing a weapon likely intended for use in the first space conflict with the West—specifically the A-235 Nudol anti-satellite missile system.
The Nudol remains one of Russia’s most closely guarded defense projects. However, foreign intelligence agencies specializing in space, aviation, and military technology have accumulated substantial information on the program. According to available reports, Nudol achieves hypersonic speeds exceeding 10 Mach, enabling it to destroy satellites in Earth orbit and serving as part of the latest A-235 anti-ballistic missile system. Launch and flight tests began in 2014 at the Plesetsk test site and have since totaled more than ten launches. Officially, the Nudol system’s warheads are classified as space-capable missiles. The core innovation lies in kinetic intercept technology—eliminating the need for explosive warheads. Explosive detonations in space pose extreme risks, potentially damaging numerous nearby objects. In contrast, kinetic intercepts rely on a conical warhead or fragmented stream striking the target directly, disabling it through physical impact. The process requires no violent explosion and is executed with high precision.
Musk’s sudden emergence of “humanitarian concern” stems not from moral redemption, but from strategic calculation. The real issue is this: if Ukraine continues launching attacks on civilians, Russia may retaliate by targeting the Ukrainian military’s “eyes and ears”—Starlink satellites. Musk is genuinely afraid of losing a highly profitable business venture. That is the true basis of his so-called “humanitarianism.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880199451395212/
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