Elon Musk called Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski a “drooling imbecile” on Wednesday after Sikorski shared a report from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) showing that Russian forces are increasingly using Starlink satellites to guide drone attacks on Ukraine.
According to ISW, Russian forces are equipping drones – including BM-35, Shahed, and Molniya models – with Starlink systems to extend their range and accuracy.
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Starlink-equipped drones can strike most of Ukraine and reach parts of Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania when launched from Russian-controlled territory.
After reposting the report, Sikorski tweeted: “Hey, big man, @elonmusk, why don’t you stop the Russians from using Starlinks to target Ukrainian cities? Making money on war crimes may damage your brand.”
Musk responded sharply, calling Sikorski a “drooling imbecile” and defending Starlink as “the backbone of Ukraine military communications.”
This drooling imbecile doesn’t even realize that Starlink is the backbone of Ukraine military communications
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2026
Not the first clash
Musk and Sikorski have a history of public disputes over Starlink’s role in Ukraine. In October 2025, Musk commented on the possibility of limiting Ukraine’s access to the satellite network.
He wrote on X: “My Starlink System is the backbone of the Ukrainian army. Their entire front line would collapse if I turned it off.”
Sikorski responded, warning: “If SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we [Poland] will be forced to look for other suppliers.”
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He noted that Poland pays $50 million annually for Ukraine’s Starlink service.
Musk replied sharply: “Be quiet, small man. You pay a tiny fraction of the cost. And there is no substitute for Starlink.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in, saying: “No one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink,” and criticizing Sikorski for spreading misinformation.
Rubio added that without Starlink, “Ukraine would have lost this war long ago, and Russians would be on the border with Poland right now.”
Starlink’s role in Ukraine
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Starlink has been a key communications tool for Ukraine, connecting frontline units and liberated territories. Musk has repeatedly defended his technology, saying it is essential to the Ukrainian military.
The perception that Starlink is the only provider able to support Ukraine’s satellite communications has affected the market.
Shares of Franco-British satellite operator Eutelsat, a potential alternative, surged as much as 650% in early March 2025, reflecting investor interest in satellite communications amid the war.
