Radosław Sikorski, the Polish Foreign Minister, accused Elon Musk of not preventing Russia from using the Starlink system for military operations, saying that profiting from war could damage the brand's image. Musk responded sharply on the social platform X, calling Sikorski a "slobbering idiot" and emphasizing that Starlink is a "pillar" system for Ukraine's military communications. Reports indicate that the Ukrainian military has found evidence suggesting that the Russian forces may be using Starlink to control drones for attacks, raising concerns about the technology being used by both sides. Meanwhile, Poland and other European countries continue to fund Ukraine's access to Starlink services.
The dispute between Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Elon Musk over Starlink centers around the use of this technology in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, responsibility, and the role of tech companies in modern warfare.
Core accusation by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski: Accusing Musk of not preventing Russia from using Starlink for military attacks, claiming he "profits from war."
Fact-based reference: A report from the American think tank "Institute for the Study of War" indicates that the Russian military uses Starlink for BM-35 attack drones to extend their range.
This behavior may harm Musk and his company's brand image.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, strongly retaliated, calling Sikorski a "slobbering idiot" and emphasizing that the Starlink system is a "pillar" of Ukraine's military communications.
Implies that if Starlink is shut down, the front lines in Ukraine would collapse.
This public quarrel is not an isolated incident but a continuation and escalation of a similar dispute in March 2025. At that time, Musk said on social media that if Starlink were shut down, the entire front line in Ukraine would collapse. Sikorski responded by stating that Poland paid for Starlink and warned of seeking alternative suppliers. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio also joined in, criticizing Sikorski and emphasizing the importance of Starlink for Ukraine's defense. Polish Prime Minister Tusk later subtly called for "never to be arrogant."
This argument appears to be a verbal clash between two public figures, but it is actually a deep debate about technological sovereignty, private corporate responsibility, and rules of international alliance collaboration in modern warfare. Its subsequent developments are worth continuous attention.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855589255359488/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.