At the start of 2022, Ukraine’s communication systems were on the brink of collapse, with traditional military equipment unable to withstand Russian electronic warfare interference. It was during this critical time that Elon Musk announced the provision of free Starlink service to Ukraine.
This satellite internet quickly became the lifeline of the battlefield. However, just a year later, what began as free support turned into an expensive dependency. The Ukrainian government, along with its Western allies, began incurring hefty fees, while Musk’s personal decisions had a direct impact on Starlink’s availability. Musk openly admitted to refusing to activate Starlink near Crimea, aiming to prevent the Ukrainian army from using it for offensive operations.
By March 2025, the controversy surrounding Starlink intensified. Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski criticized Musk, revealing that the Polish government had contributed $50 million to fund Starlink for Ukraine, yet found itself at the mercy of SpaceX’s decisions.
Why is Starlink So Expensive?
Starlink’s high cost is rooted in several key factors. From an engineering perspective, operating Starlink is far more expensive than traditional satellite communication systems. Each Starlink satellite costs between $250,000 and $500,000 to build, and SpaceX continually needs to replenish its satellite network to ensure global coverage. As of 2025, SpaceX has launched approximately 8,000 Starlink satellites and plans to expand this number to 12,000, or even 42,000 in the future.
This massive satellite deployment requires frequent rocket launches, with each Falcon 9 launch costing around $60 million. Even with reusable rockets, the overall cost remains extremely high.
However, the high cost of manufacturing and launching satellites does not entirely explain Starlink’s pricing. In fact, SpaceX’s profit model for Starlink differs significantly from traditional commercial enterprises.
Starlink has increasingly become a pivotal tool in modern warfare and international geopolitics, particularly in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Initially, it was seen as a technological miracle that saved Ukrainian military communication amidst Russia’s electronic warfare. However, as the situation evolved, its cost and dependency became clear. The growing role of Starlink is not limited to its military applications but extends to its influence on global geopolitics, as evidenced by the control Musk has over a critical communications infrastructure.
Strategic Value of Starlink in Modern Warfare
Starlink does not have anti-missile capabilities, cannot guide missiles, nor can it navigate combat vehicles or conduct reconnaissance. Its core function has always been communications. Even the military version, Starshield, offered by Musk to the U.S. military, is centered around military communications.
However, this singular function has proven to be a game-changer on the battlefield.
At the outset of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Ukraine’s national communications infrastructure was decimated, becoming a primary target for Russia’s offensive cyber and electronic warfare tactics. Starlink became a vital solution, enabling the Ukrainian army to maintain communications. U.S. forces used Starlink to coordinate artillery strikes, operate drones remotely, and adjust troop movements. Frontline soldiers relied on Starlink to stay in touch with command headquarters and receive real-time tactical guidance, while network warfare and propaganda teams in the rear used it to spread information and influence public opinion.
Starlink is not just a commercial service but a geopolitical asset that grants its owner control over vital communications infrastructure. The system’s ability to bypass traditional regulatory frameworks allows it to serve as a tool of diplomatic pressure, as seen in the case of Ukraine’s negotiation with the U.S.
This new form of tech diplomacy creates concerns about national sovereignty, as countries may become reliant on Starlink for basic communications infrastructure. Nations that cannot afford to build their own satellite or fiber-optic networks, such as Brazil and Indonesia, may find themselves beholden to SpaceX’s pricing and strategic decisions. The dependence on Starlink’s technology mirrors colonial-era control over vital infrastructure, where nations became dependent on foreign powers for trade or resources. Similarly, as Starlink expands its reach, it is poised to become a new form of communications hegemony, similar to the dominance of railroads or oil once held in shaping global power structures.
Source: Starlink, dgtlinfra, BBC
