Elon Musk acknowledged that SpaceX restricted commercial Starlink service in Ukraine, arguing that military use for offensive drone strikes breached its terms. Ukrainian adviser Serhii Beskrestnov disputed that explanation, citing the commercial service’s speed and geographic limits. Musk separately attributed control of Starshield to the US government. His statement shifts attention from restored connections to responsibility for the restrictions and the contested justification.
Elon Musk said on 24 October that SpaceX had closed a capability on Starlink, its commercial satellite internet service, the previous week. He argued that Ukraine’s military had breached the service’s terms by using it for offensive drone strikes.[1], [2]
Musk had previously denied that SpaceX deliberately throttled the connection.[1]
Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov disputed Musk’s explanation. He said drones using commercial Starlink in Ukraine faced a speed limit of 70–90 kilometres per hour and that the service did not work in Russian territory. He argued those constraints made it physically impossible to use commercial Starlink for deep or medium-range strikes.[1]
Musk separately denied responsibility for problems affecting Starshield, the military satellite system he described as controlled by the US government. Both services use SpaceX satellite networks. Starlink supports battlefield communications, while Starshield also enables drone operators to view targets and operate interceptor drones. Ukraine’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to Musk’s latest statement.[1]
Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said on 24 October that stable links had returned and drones could operate above 400 kilometres per hour. The earlier restrictions had disrupted connections above 161 kilometres per hour. Donald Trump said he asked Musk to restore service while denying that he ordered the limits. Musk gave no reason for SpaceX making the change the previous week.[1]
