On March 9, a heated exchange unfolded on X between U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, tech billionaire Elon Musk, and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski regarding the use of Starlink’s satellite network in Ukraine.

The debate started with Musk’s post emphasizing Starlink’s crucial role in Ukraine’s defense, calling it the "backbone of the Ukrainian military" and adding, "Their entire frontline would collapse if I shut it down," as reported by the BBC.

Sikorski quickly responded, stating that Poland pays for the service.

"Poland’s Ministry of Digitalization covers Ukraine’s Starlink costs, spending around $50 million annually. Beyond the ethics of threatening an invasion victim, if SpaceX becomes an unreliable provider, we will have to look for alternatives," Sikorski wrote.

Musk’s remark about potentially shutting down the service prompted Sikorski to suggest that such a move would push Ukraine to find new suppliers. Rubio quickly refuted claims that Musk intended to cut off Starlink and urged Sikorski to be more appreciative.

The online dispute escalated, culminating in Musk calling Sikorski a "small man."

Starlink, a SpaceX initiative, provides high-speed internet access to remote and low-connectivity areas, including war zones.

Sikorski’s statement triggered a sharp response from Rubio, who accused Poland’s foreign minister of distorting facts.

"No one has threatened to deprive Ukraine of Starlink," Rubio wrote, adding that Sikorski was "just making things up."

He then urged Sikorski to acknowledge Starlink’s critical role in Ukraine’s defense.

"And say thank you, because without Starlink, Ukraine would have lost this war long ago, and the Russians would now be at Poland’s border," Rubio added.

Musk also joined the exchange, responding sharply to Sikorski.

"Shut up, small man. You’re only covering a tiny fraction of the costs. And there is no substitute for Starlink," Musk wrote.

Later, Musk clarified that he has no plans to shut down Starlink, which is used by the Ukrainian military, even if his views do not align with Ukraine’s policies.

He made this statement on his X account, as reported by European Pravda.

Musk explained that without Starlink, Ukrainian forces would face serious communication problems, as the Russian side could disrupt all other communication channels.

"To be absolutely clear, regardless of how much I agree or disagree with Ukraine’s policies, Starlink will never shut down its terminals. We will never take such action or use it as a bargaining tool," he emphasized.

Since February 2022, Starlink terminals have become a key part of Ukraine’s military operations. Tens of thousands of terminals are deployed across the country, including up to 500 units purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense in June 2023.