Elon Musk instructed SpaceX engineers to cut Starlink satellite coverage over parts of Ukraine during a pivotal counteroffensive in late September 2022, according to a Reuters investigation published on 25 July. The order led to the deactivation of at least 100 terminals in the Kherson region and nearby areas Russia then occupied, abruptly severing battlefield communications for Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials and frontline personnel told Reuters the blackout caused drones to lose contact, artillery units to mis-aim and an encirclement of Russian troops at Beryslav to falter, though Kyiv ultimately retook the area. The episode, previously undisclosed, is the first known case of the billionaire actively suspending Starlink service over an active war zone. People familiar with Musk’s decision said he was concerned that deep Ukrainian advances could provoke Russian nuclear retaliation. SpaceX declined to detail any inaccuracies in the report, stating only that Starlink “is fully committed to providing service to Ukraine.” Kyiv, which has received roughly 50,000 Starlink terminals from donors and still relies on the network, did not comment.