Ukraine disputes Elon Musk’s claim on Starlink use amid military tensions

Ukrainian officials have disputed claims made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that Ukraine’s military violated the terms of service of Starlink, the satellite internet system critical to the country’s wartime connectivity, WTOP reported.

A defense technology adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said longstanding restrictions on the civilian Starlink system in Ukraine made offensive use impossible. He called it strange that Musk was unaware of these operational restrictions.

Earlier in October, Ukrainian drones connected to Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink, lost connectivity during high-speed operations, disrupting air defenses amid daily Russian air attacks. The speed caps causing these interruptions were lifted recently, restoring service.

Musk acknowledged that SpaceX had throttled Starlink in Ukraine, stating that the civilian commercial service was never allowed to be used for offensive drone strikes. He said the loophole allowing such use was closed last week, but maintained that the U.S. government controlled changes to Starshield.

The restrictions on Starshield raised concerns among Ukrainian military and government officials, who reported lost drones and disrupted missions. These events have contributed to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, already strained by other geopolitical issues.

The restoration of Starlink service coincided with a new U.S. diplomatic push to end the war, following Russia's recent agreement to reengage in diplomatic efforts.