Elon Musk has acknowledged that SpaceX restricted Ukraine’s access to its Starlink satellite internet service, accusing the country’s military of breaching the platform’s terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes.
The admission comes after Ukrainian officials reported that connectivity had returned to previous operating speeds following more than a week of disruptions that affected military operations.
In a post on X, Musk defended the restrictions, saying the civilian satellite internet service was never intended to support offensive attacks.
“Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be,” he wrote.
He added that Ukraine’s military had violated the terms of service and that the loophole allowing such use had been closed the previous week.
Musk also sought to distinguish Starlink from Starshield, a military-focused satellite communications system controlled by the United States government. He said decisions concerning Starshield’s restrictions rested with Washington.
Ukrainian officials, however, have challenged Musk’s account. Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov described the billionaire’s comments as “very strange”, arguing that existing speed restrictions and Starlink’s inability to operate over Russian territory made the alleged use for long-range strikes impossible.
The dispute follows reports that satellite connectivity problems disrupted Ukrainian drone operations and other military activities. The interruptions also raised questions about who authorised the restrictions.
US President Donald Trump said he had spoken about the issue and previously indicated that he wanted access restored, while denying that he had instructed Musk to limit the service.
Ukraine’s reported restoration of Starlink and Starshield connectivity has eased the immediate disruption, but disagreements over the restrictions and their justification remain unresolved.
