SpaceX is voluntarily blocking the use of drones by the Ukrainian military

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SpaceX has announced that it has implemented mechanisms to block the Ukrainian military from piloting drones. Arguing that the service was never “designed to be a weapon”, Space X is once again shifting its position in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.



One shot, I’ll help you, one shot, I’ll block you: SpaceX’s stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict often resembles a weather vane. That reports the news agency Reuters, the satellite constellation internet connection company has introduced mechanisms to block its service for military use. More specifically, Elon Musk’s company — whose positions on the conflict often diverged brutally — announced at a press conference yesterday that it had implemented systems to block the use of drones. Claim the connection was never intended to be used as a weapon” and that “the Ukrainians used (the connection, Editor’s Note) in ways […] that were not part of our agreement SpaceX chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell explained that the company has put mechanisms in place “ to limit their power (to hijack the connection). There are things we could do, and we did “.

Read also: Starlink price hike: Elon Musk betrays Ukraine again? (December 2022)​

SpaceX, which has nonetheless provided terminals to the Ukrainian government and military – much of which is paid for by partner countries such as Poland – seems to have no problem with certain applications, Ms. Shotwell explains that “ we know the military uses them (our satellites, editor’s note) for their communication and that’s okay “. For adding ” But we never intended to see them (the satellites, always, Editor’s Note) used for offensive purposes “.

Russian drone feed shows attack on Ukrainian artillery unit around Chernihiv. pic.twitter.com/6eU6ShaFFA

— Aldin
🇧🇦
(@aldin_aba) March 23, 2022
And the Ukrainian drones are certainly offensive: faced with the Russian masses, the Ukrainian defenders had to adapt. Drones, along with Starlink’s mobile broadband internet connection, are one of the cornerstones of their “ new war “. Deploying drones en masse, the Ukrainians harass the troops, attacking the various armored vehicles by dropping small bombs on the open hatches. But also and above all, the Ukrainians have revolutionized the mechanics of artillery strikes, using the drones’ “eyes” to adjust shots very quickly, increasing the accuracy of their strikes, a strategy that also led the Ukrainian army to create the world’s first drone strike unit last January.

Read also: War in Ukraine: Elon Musk and SpaceX no longer want to pay for Starlinks given to Ukrainians (October 2022)​

It is these offensive practices, highly documented and often published in the form of videos (sometimes a bit harsh and / or macabre) on social networks, that SpaceX no doubt considers “bad advertising”. Whether for image reasons or for the search for a possible neutrality. The downside of the move is that it sheds light on the role Starlink may play in Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. And SpaceX’s voluntary reticence on this connection could be seen as yet another change of stance on the Ukrainian dossier after the financial delay and disconnection the company has already implemented in the country in recent months.

Source :

Reuters
 
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