Elon Musk has confirmed that SpaceX imposed restrictions on the speed of its Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, shortly after Kyiv announced that connectivity had been restored.
The billionaire claimed Ukraine breached Starlink’s terms of service by using the civilian network to support offensive military activities, including drone attacks on Russian targets.
Musk, however, rejected claims that he was responsible for restrictions affecting Starshield, the military-grade satellite communications system used by Ukraine and operated under the control of the United States government.
Ukrainian authorities have yet to formally respond to Musk’s latest comments, although presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov described the billionaire’s remarks as unusual.
Musk had previously denied intentionally restricting Starlink access in Ukraine after Kyiv reported that the disruption had affected military operations for more than a week.
The connectivity problems occurred amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
Starlink service was restored after US President Donald Trump said Musk had lifted the restrictions, following reports that he had asked the SpaceX founder to reinstate Ukraine’s access.
In a post on X, Musk described Starlink as a civilian commercial service that was not designed to support offensive military operations.
He claimed Ukrainian forces had violated the company’s terms by using Starlink to facilitate drone strikes, saying SpaceX had subsequently shut down what he called a loophole.
Musk also highlighted SpaceX’s contribution to Ukraine’s defence, saying the company had provided substantial support to the country.
He stressed that Starshield was a separate system and that its deployment was determined by the US government, which ultimately controls decisions regarding its use.
The billionaire further argued that Starlink could be used to support military infrastructure but should not facilitate attacks that could make the network vulnerable to retaliation.
Responding to Musk, Beskrestnov said Ukrainian drones operating through Starlink were subject to speed limits of between 70 and 90 kilometres per hour and were unable to operate on Russian territory.
He said the restrictions made it impossible for commercial Starlink to support deep or medium-range attacks in the manner suggested by Musk.
Ukraine’s defence ministry had not immediately issued a response to the billionaire’s latest remarks.
Ukraine relies on Starlink for battlefield communications, while Starshield offers more secure satellite connectivity for military activities. Both systems depend on low-Earth-orbit satellites deployed by SpaceX.
Starlink allows Ukrainian military units to maintain communications, especially in remote battlefield locations, while Starshield is used in operations involving drones and other military equipment.
As Russia is not authorised to use Starlink, Ukrainian drones and missiles operating deep inside Russian territory cannot depend on the network for connectivity.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said the military had begun recording a stable connection, allowing drones to once again travel at speeds exceeding 400 kilometres per hour.
Kyiv had earlier said the connectivity problems began when drones travelled at speeds above approximately 161 kilometres per hour.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed that Starlink connectivity had returned to the required speeds.
The restoration came after more than a week of disruption that affected battlefield communications, drone operations and logistics. (The Washington Post)
Musk had initially offered no explanation for the restrictions, despite Ukraine’s heavy reliance on Starlink since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
The disruption came as diplomatic tensions intensified between Zelensky and Trump over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities.
Trump has criticised the strikes, arguing that attacks on Russian refineries have contributed to rising global energy prices.
Kyiv, however, maintains that the attacks are intended to weaken a key source of revenue used to fund Russia’s war effort.
Zelensky had earlier agreed to suspend attacks on Russian oil facilities in return for Moscow stopping strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine later resumed the attacks after accusing Russia of failing to uphold the agreement.
The Ukrainian president also claimed that Washington had threatened to halt intelligence-sharing with Kyiv if the attacks continued, an allegation Trump rejected.
Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian forces continued to exchange attacks overnight.
Ukraine’s emergency services reported that three people were killed and 15 others injured, including an 11-year-old girl, in attacks in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region.
Six more people were injured after a Russian drone hit an apartment building in the central city of Vinnytsia, according to Ukrainian officials.
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had struck a cargo vessel it alleged was carrying supplies for the Ukrainian military while heading towards the Black Sea port of Chornomorsk.
The ministry also said its forces had targeted a logistics centre, distribution facility and logistics terminal in Kharkiv.
Ukraine’s defence ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had struck a facility in the Russian city of Oryol operated by a sanctioned heavy machinery manufacturer.
Russian officials said three people were killed in the attack.
Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the war now in its fifth year.
Goodness Anunobi
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