In an interview with Fox Business' Larry Kudlow, Musk further elaborated, suggesting the attack seemed to originate from IP addresses in the "Ukraine area."
"We're not sure exactly what happened, but there was a massive cyberattack to try to bring down the X system."
However, cybersecurity experts have urged caution in accepting this claim, noting that cyberattacks are often routed through multiple locations to mask their true origin.
Who is Behind the Cyberattack?
Musk’s suggestion that the attack came from Ukraine has sparked intense debate. Some analysts have warned that it could be an attempt by hostile cyber operatives to frame Ukraine or create diplomatic tensions.
"Given the geopolitical climate, it’s highly unlikely Ukraine would launch an attack on X," said Alex Plitsas, a cybersecurity expert at the Atlantic Council. "It’s much more plausible that a third party, possibly Russia-backed hackers, orchestrated this to disrupt diplomatic relations and stir chaos."
Cybersecurity specialists also pointed out that cybercriminal groups, including state-backed Russian hacker organizations, have previously used IP spoofing and proxy servers in Ukraine to disguise their real locations.
"Attributing a cyberattack solely based on IP addresses is not reliable," said Mikko Hyppönen, Chief Research Officer at WithSecure. "Sophisticated attackers use multiple layers of deception to mislead investigators."
X’s History of Technical Problems Under Musk
This is not the first time X has suffered a major disruption under Musk’s leadership. Since his $44 billion acquisition of the platform in 2022, X has faced multiple outages, raising concerns about its cybersecurity infrastructure and operational stability:
August 2024: X suffered a significant outage on the same day Musk was scheduled to stream an exclusive interview with Donald Trump. Musk claimed it was "sabotage" but did not provide evidence.
March 2023: X experienced a widespread failure, affecting links, images, and login functionalities, disrupting millions of users worldwide.
These incidents have led many to question whether X’s current security measures are robust enough to withstand coordinated cyberattacks.
As X remained inaccessible for hours, frustrated users flocked to alternative platforms like Bluesky, Threads, and Mastodon. This highlights an ongoing shift where X’s repeated outages push users to explore more stable alternatives.
Meanwhile, the cyberattack coincided with a sharp decline in Tesla’s stock price, which fell over 10% during the trading day. While it's unclear if the attack on X directly influenced this drop, investors are increasingly wary of Musk’s growing business vulnerabilities.
"Elon Musk's companies operate in high-risk industries, from EVs to social media to space tech," said Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. "Cyberattacks and instability at X could damage investor confidence in Musk’s broader empire."
Cybersecurity and the Future of X
This latest cyberattack raises serious questions about the security of social media platforms. Experts emphasize that companies like X must invest more in cybersecurity to prevent disruptions that can affect millions of users worldwide.
As investigations into the attack continue, several key questions remain; who was truly responsible for the attack? was this a state-sponsored operation or an independent hacking group? and what measures will X take to prevent future cyberattacks?
For now, the incident reinforces the growing threat of cyber warfare and highlights the critical role social media platforms play in global communications. With tensions rising over digital security, X's ability to defend itself from future attacks will be closely watched.
