SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk stated Saturday that the company restricted Ukraine’s access to its high-speed satellite technology because Kyiv violated the platform’s terms of service. Writing in a post on the social media platform X, Musk said the Ukrainian military used the service for offensive drone strikes, prompting the company to close that loophole.
“Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week,” Musk wrote, adding that SpaceX has contributed significantly more to defend Ukraine than any other private enterprise.
The remarks came after Ukrainian officials announced earlier Saturday that high-speed service for both Starlink and Starshield satellite communication systems had been restored following a day of throttling. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that its monitoring systems officially recorded the restoration of connection speeds, noting that the network remained stable while equipment moved at velocities exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, or 249 miles per hour.
Starlink operates as SpaceX’s broader commercial satellite internet network, while Starshield serves as the company’s government-oriented counterpart built upon the same underlying technology. Prior to Musk’s acknowledgment, uncertainty surrounded the origin of the high-speed restrictions. Musk initially suggested in a social media post that the United States government bore responsibility, while President Donald Trump stated he had no knowledge of the matter.
On Saturday, however, Trump confirmed to White House reporters in Florida that he had spoken with Musk regarding the restrictions, following a report published earlier in the week by The Wall Street Journal. SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the policy changes.
The dispute intensified starting October 14, when Ukrainian officials accused SpaceX of undermining defensive operations by imposing speed limits on Starshield terminals. Officials reported that any drone traveling faster than 100 miles per hour lost its connection, disrupting various military missions. Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank focusing on defense technology, energy, and global trade, confirmed that Ukrainian Starshield terminals were still experiencing operational difficulties on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the disruptions in a Friday post on X, stating that the speed restrictions remained in place and noting that the country was also awaiting previously agreed-upon U.S. missile interceptors. “Things have become harder — partly because of the Starlink and Starshield policies and speed limits,” Zelenskyy wrote, while emphasizing that the frontline continued to hold.
Defense Minister Yevgeny Khmara emphasized the critical nature of the network’s recovery in an official statement, noting that the restoration of speed indicators is vital for front-line operations, military logistics, drone activity, and communications. The Ministry of Defense stated that it continues to monitor system operations to ensure stability.
The service limitations and subsequent disruptions have also drawn legislative scrutiny in the United States. Lawmakers from both political parties have called for a formal investigation into Musk and SpaceX concerning the unilateral adjustments made to satellite services in the conflict zone.
