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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Keir Giles

Tech giants hold huge sway in matters of war, life and death. That should concern us all

Ukrainian forces use Starlink technology to operate reconnaissance drones in Donbas, Ukraine, 26 May 2023.
Ukrainian forces use Starlink technology to operate reconnaissance drones in Donbas, Ukraine, 26 May 2023. Photograph: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock

The revelations that Ukrainian naval operations were blocked by a lack of support from Elon Musk’s Starlink system cast light on to his complex relationship with Russia and Ukraine.

But it is an area that deserves more light still, for Starlink’s parent, SpaceX, is far from the only technology company playing a vital role in Ukraine’s resistance against the Russian invasion. Household names such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others have also been essential to the defence of Ukraine.

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