Ukraine tried for the first time to use uncrewed surface vessels against Russian vessels in Sevastopol Bay in September 2022, but 70 kilometres from the target, the connection with billionaire Elon Musk�s Starlinks was lost. It was not possible to persuade Musk to turn back on the connection, so Ukraine modified the drones.
Elon’s biographer Isaacson says he turned it off as the Ukrainian ships were approaching Sevastopol, following a call with the Russian ambassador who he told about it(!!?), resulting in a nuclear threat. Ukrainians begged him to turn it back on and he refuses.
I’m not sure which to believe. Isaacson’s account is detailed and I doubt it’s made up, but perhaps he misunderstood something. At the same time, turning it off seems to require Elon to have foreknowledge of the attack which seems unlikely, though plausible.
Issac corrected the story and said he was wrong. His stance is it was never on. Musk refused to turn it on.
So either Issac got it wrong and the correction is legit. Or Issac is now covering his ass and willing to lie, and lying would be bad for his credibility.
From what I can gather from various sources (most detailed one here: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-admits-thwarting-ukraine-attack-not-activating-starlink-satellites-2023-9?op=1)
I’m not sure which to believe. Isaacson’s account is detailed and I doubt it’s made up, but perhaps he misunderstood something. At the same time, turning it off seems to require Elon to have foreknowledge of the attack which seems unlikely, though plausible.
Issac corrected the story and said he was wrong. His stance is it was never on. Musk refused to turn it on.
So either Issac got it wrong and the correction is legit. Or Issac is now covering his ass and willing to lie, and lying would be bad for his credibility.