SpaceX Confirms It Slowed Starlink Internet in Ukraine

Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday that SpaceX deliberately reduced the speed of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. This admission clarifies the cause of a significant technical disruption that affected military operations. The decision was made by the company rather than by the Ukrainian government or the U.S. administration, according to the billionaire. The slowdown lasted for more than a week before standard speeds were reinstated.

The technical issue centered on how a civilian commercial service was being used for military purposes. Musk explained that using Starlink for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed under the terms of service. He stated that the Ukrainian military violated these rules by employing the system for such strikes. The company closed this loophole last week to ensure the service remained consistent with its original commercial intent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that access to Starlink and the military-grade Starshield links had returned to their earlier speeds. He noted that the restoration began overnight and was sufficient by Saturday morning. The return to full bandwidth improved front-line logistics and enhanced defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. Zelenskyy emphasized that the speeds are now where they need to be.

The timeline of the disruption began last week when questions arose over who ordered the interruptions. Ukrainian military and government officials were alarmed by the restrictions on Starshield, the military version of the system. Commanders reported that the reduced speeds led to lost drones and disrupted missions. The situation created uncertainty for a system that Kyiv has relied on for years to defend against Russia.

Musk maintained that the U.S. government controls any changes to Starshield, which underpins Ukraine's drone operations and communications. He defended SpaceX's broader role in strengthening Ukraine's defenses since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The distinction between the commercial Starlink service and the military Starshield system remains a key part of the ongoing discussion about how these technologies are managed.

The resolution of the speed limits comes amid a fresh U.S. diplomatic push to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the southern Kherson region. This ceasefire was brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, adding another layer to the complex diplomatic efforts.

The episode added strain to the relationship between Kyiv and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not make the call to slow the internet but also stated that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement in the decision.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for resolving the issue. He said the outcome matters most for the military, specifically for the work of drones, logistics, and communications. Fighting continued during this period, with local officials reporting casualties in missile attacks and drone strikes in various regions.

The next steps involve monitoring the stability of the satellite connections as diplomatic talks resume. The technical resolution of the speed limits is complete, but the broader questions about the use of commercial technology in warfare remain. The restored speeds are currently supporting front-line operations as the conflict continues.