The short version
- The Ukrainian government confirmed stable Starlink connections following temporary speed caps that disrupted military logistics.
- Elon Musk accused Kyiv of violating terms of service, while US officials denied direct involvement in the restrictions.
- President Zelenskyy thanked American allies for resolving the issue, though some European observers questioned whether full functionality had returned.
The Ukrainian government has confirmed that its military now maintains a stable connection to the Starlink satellite communications system. This development comes ten days after sudden restrictions were placed on the service, which significantly hampered Ukraine’s ability to conduct certain combat operations. The restoration of full-speed connectivity marks a critical shift in the ongoing logistical support for Kyiv’s defense efforts against Russian forces.
Prior to the resolution, speed caps limited terminal performance to approximately 160 kilometers per hour. These restrictions caused several Ukrainian missions to fail and hindered the interception of incoming Russian attack drones. Additionally, some operations aimed at striking behind enemy lines were canceled due to the degraded communication capabilities. The disruption also meant that Russia was able to launch ballistic missiles without advance warning from US intelligence systems linked to the network.
Elon Musk, chief executive of SpaceX, which owns Starlink, has publicly accused the Ukrainian military of violating the company’s terms of service. He claimed that Kyiv used the system for offensive drone strikes intended to kill people, stating that this loophole was closed last week. Neither Musk nor the US government, which operates Starshield using similar technology, initially took responsibility for imposing the curbs on the Ukrainian terminals.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, countered these accusations by stating that Ukraine is physically unable to use Starlink for long- and medium-range attack drone operations. The general staff and defense ministry did not immediately comment on Musk’s allegations. This disagreement highlights the complex interplay between private corporate policy and national security needs during active conflict.
US political figures have offered conflicting narratives regarding the origin of the restrictions. President Donald Trump initially denied that his administration was behind the decision to cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine, stating he did not know who was responsible but believed it was not him or Musk. However, Vice President JD Vance later supported Musk’s position, suggesting the billionaire does not want to intervene in a war between two state actors without explicit direction from the US government.
State Department officials also attempted to distance the administration from the incident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump by emphasizing that Starlink and Starshield are private entities not directed by the president. Despite these denials, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both the American government and SpaceX for the disruption. He described the speed limits as a planned operation that would inevitably lead to human losses on the battlefield.
Zelenskyy announced the restoration of the system in a diplomatic video address, expressing gratitude to US allies for resolving the operational issue. He noted that speeds had returned to levels necessary for frontline logistics and defending against jet-powered drones. The restoration began overnight, with sufficient speeds reported by morning. This resolution is seen as vital for maintaining Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Despite Zelenskyy’s announcement, some uncertainty remains regarding the full extent of the service recovery. While Trump claimed the service was running again at full speed, a European official speaking to the Associated Press denied that the system was fully functioning. When asked if he would instruct Musk to stop interfering with Ukraine’s access, Trump said he had not spoken to him but might do so if problems persisted. He described Musk as brilliant and good, indicating a continued reliance on their relationship for future stability.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Ukraine’s military says Starlink satellite connection stable after recent restrictions
