Elon Musk has responded to Ukrainian complaints over restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield connections during Russian attacks, saying the US military — not SpaceX — controls the military-grade system.
Ukrainian officials said some satellite terminals lost connectivity when moving faster than around 160 kilometres per hour, disrupting drone operations at the same time as Russia launched a major missile and drone attack against Kyiv, Kharkiv and Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The restrictions were later partially eased.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk wrote on X.
“Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
Musk drew a distinction between Starshield, which is designed for government and military use, and Starlink, SpaceX’s commercial satellite internet service.
He said Starlink use is restricted to civilian or defensive purposes and cannot be used for offensive military action.
The comments came after Ukrainian officials appealed for connectivity to be restored. Kyiv has increasingly relied on satellite communications for drones, battlefield logistics and other military functions.
Ukraine questions timing of restrictions
The restrictions came during a period of growing tension between Washington and Kyiv over Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has said it experienced both restrictions on satellite communications and gaps in intelligence support during the latest wave of Russian attacks. The Financial Times reported that the Starshield limitations affected both defensive interceptor drones and longer-range Ukrainian operations.
Ukrainian officials have questioned whether the timing was connected to political pressure from Washington, although the US government has not publicly confirmed that it ordered the restrictions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the communications problems could have serious consequences and publicly appealed for the system to be restored.
He has also accused Russia of violating a proposed energy ceasefire by continuing strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure. In one major attack this week, Zelenskyy said hundreds of thousands of people were left without electricity.
Musk calls for Zelenskyy to leave office
Musk has also sharply escalated his public criticism of the Ukrainian president.
Responding on X to developments in the war, he wrote: “And so the slaughter continues … Time for Zelensky to go.”
The intervention adds another political dimension to the dispute over SpaceX technology, which has played an important role in Ukraine’s communications infrastructure since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukraine has nevertheless continued to seek US support. Zelenskyy has called for additional Patriot air-defence missiles and stronger sanctions against Russia following the latest attacks.
The Starlink dispute also comes as Kyiv questions the reliability of some forms of US assistance. According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian officials have linked the communications restrictions to wider uncertainty over intelligence sharing and Washington’s pressure on Ukraine to curb strikes against Russian oil facilities.
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