Elon Musk, the American businessman and owner of SpaceX, recently decided to shut down Starlink connections that were being utilized by the Russian military, despite the system not operating within Russia itself. Starlink, which has been the most frequently used internet system by Russians in occupied areas of Ukraine, faced strong backlash from Russian military bloggers who lamented the impact of this closure.

The decision has highlighted the growing concern over the power of private companies in the context of the Ukraine war. According to military expert Emil Kastehelmi from Black Bird Group, the situation raises significant issues regarding the increasing influence of individuals who are not state actors, who can exert considerable power over military communications. He points out that this scenario presents a challenge for both sides of the conflict, as reliance on private entities can lead to unpredictable and potentially detrimental outcomes.

Kastehelmi believes that the Starlink incident serves as a warning for states to carefully consider the systems they depend on and what responsibilities they outsource to private companies. His remarks emphasize the importance of ensuring that essential communication infrastructure is not left in the hands of individuals or organizations that may act on whims, underscoring the need for greater oversight and control of private entities involved in warfare.