Elon Musk blames Ukraine for cyberattack on X

Elon Musk claims a massive cyberattack on X originated in Ukraine, tracing IP addresses to the region.

On March 10, 2025, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves across the internet. He announced that a “massive cyberattack” targeting his social media platform, X, came from IP addresses traced back to Ukraine.

The revelation came after hours of outages that left thousands of users unable to access the site. Speaking on Fox News and posting on X, Musk suggested that this attack was no small feat—it required serious resources, hinting at the involvement of a “coordinated group” or even a country.

As the news spreads, questions swirl: Why Ukraine? What does this mean for X? And how will this affect Musk’s growing influence in tech and politics? Let’s dive into the details of this unfolding story.

The Cyberattack on X: What Happened?

The trouble started early Monday morning when X users worldwide reported the platform was down. According to outage tracker Downdetector, over 40,000 people faced issues, with disruptions peaking around 10 a.m. UK time and again at 2 p.m.

For hours, X—formerly known as Twitter—was unstable, leaving users frustrated and speculating about the cause. Then, around 1:25 p.m. ET, Musk broke his silence with a post on X:

“There was (still is) a massive cyberattack against X. We get attacked every day, but this was done with a lot of resources.”

Later, in an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, Musk doubled down. “We’re not sure exactly what happened,” he admitted, “but there was a massive cyber attack to try to bring down the X system with IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area.”

The claim stunned viewers and sparked immediate debate. Was this a random hack, a targeted strike, or something bigger? Musk’s words pointed to a serious accusation—one that’s now trending across platforms as people try to make sense of it.

Ukraine’s Alleged Role

Elon Musk’s announcement about Ukraine wasn’t just a passing comment—it’s a bold statement with huge implications. He didn’t provide hard proof on air, but experts say the scale of the attack suggests it could be a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.

That’s when hackers flood a site with traffic to knock it offline. Isik Mater from NetBlocks, a group that tracks internet connectivity, told NBC News that X had been hit with intermittent outages since Monday morning. While confirming a DDoS attack is tricky, Mater said Musk’s claim isn’t out of the question.

However, not everyone agrees. An industry source speaking to Reuters argued that the attack’s traffic came from multiple places—like the U.S., Vietnam, and Brazil—not just Ukraine. They called the Ukraine link “insignificant” and warned that tracing IP addresses doesn’t always reveal the real culprits.

Despite the skepticism, Musk’s focus on Ukraine has fueled speculation. Posts on X show mixed reactions—some users believe it’s tied to geopolitical tensions, while others think Musk might be deflecting blame for technical issues.

X, Musk, and global tensions

This isn’t the first time Musk has claimed X was under attack. Last year, he blamed a DDoS attack for delaying a livestream with Donald Trump, though some insiders later denied it. Now, with Ukraine in the spotlight, the stakes feel higher.

Musk’s role as a tech mogul and his new position in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) add layers to the story. Could this be a political move? A jab at Ukraine amid its reliance on Musk’s Starlink service for its war efforts?

The timing is curious too. Just a day before, Musk posted that Ukraine’s front line would collapse without Starlink—a comment that ruffled feathers. Poland’s foreign minister even threatened to ditch Starlink over it.

Now, with this cyberattack claim, Musk seems to be painting Ukraine as a foe. Whether it’s true or not, it’s a narrative that’s gripping the internet and trending on X, with users debating everything from cybersecurity to international rivalries.

What’s Next for X and Elon Musk?

As of 11:00 p.m. WAT on March 10, 2025, X is reportedly back online for most users, but the fallout from Musk’s announcement is just beginning. Cybersecurity experts are digging into the data, while X users are buzzing with theories. Some see it as a wake-up call about the platform’s vulnerability; others call it a distraction from Musk’s busy plate—running Tesla, SpaceX, and now DOGE.

For now, Musk hasn’t shared more evidence, and Ukraine hasn’t responded officially. But one thing’s clear: this story isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s a mix of tech drama, political intrigue, and Musk’s knack for stirring the pot. Will we get proof of Ukraine’s role? Or will this join the list of Musk’s bold claims that fade into mystery? Stay tuned as the world watches X—and its outspoken owner—navigate this latest storm.