Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The tech billionaire has incurred Moscow’s wrath.
Modern warfare is no longer fought solely with boots on the ground.
High above our heads, some of the most vital battles now take place in the silent vacuum of space.
And when commercial technology becomes a weapon of war, the private company behind it can quickly become the target of serious military threats.
A cosmic threat
According to United24Media, citing the Duma press service, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin recently threatened a nuclear strike if SpaceX continues to provide Ukraine with Starlink satellite internet access.
Volodin blamed the billionaire behind SpaceX. According to the Duma’s press service, the speaker warned: “Elon Musk himself must understand that his satellites are being used to kill children. This could all lead to us using weapons that will leave no trace of anyone.”
The Russian politician did not specify whether the theoretical nuclear strike would target the Starlink network in space or a target on Earth.
The anger follows a Ukrainian attack on occupied Starobilsk on May 22. While Ukraine said it targeted a drone unit, Moscow claimed the strike hit a college dormitory.
Ukraine–Musk cooperation
In early 2026, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov worked with SpaceX to completely deactivate unauthorized Starlink terminals used by Russian troops to communicate and coordinate on the battlefield.
Almost immediately, Russian military advances slowed dramatically, and it has been suggested that the loss of the Starlink network played a major role in Ukrainian forces being able to reclaim approximately 400 square kilometers during a swift counteroffensive.
Other Russian voices have called for extreme action in space. On the state television network Russia 1, prominent propagandist Vladimir Solovyov called for a nuclear explosion in space.
Sources: United24Media, The Moscow Times, Russia 1, Duma Press Service
