SpaceX slows Ukraine Starlink access

Elon Musk admitted on Saturday that SpaceX deliberately reduced the speed of Starlink services in Ukraine. This decision disrupted the satellite internet infrastructure that Kyiv relies on for defense against Russia.

The revelation followed a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who confirmed that access to Starlink and the military-grade Starshield system had returned to previous speeds. Zelenskyy noted that the restrictions hampered front-line operations for more than one week. The restoration process began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning, which improved logistics and defense against Russian Shahed drones.

Musk justified the speed limits by citing a violation of commercial terms of service. He stated that using Starlink, a civilian commercial product, for offensive drone strikes has never been permitted. He claimed the Ukrainian military used the system for such attacks and that the company closed this loophole last week. However, Musk maintained that the U.S. government, not SpaceX, controls changes to Starshield, the military version that supports drone operations.

Ukrainian officials reported that the restrictions caused lost drones and disrupted missions. Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for resolving the issue. He emphasized that the outcome was vital for the military, drone work, logistics, and communications.

The incident occurs during a new U.S. diplomatic effort to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the U.S. and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire near Oleshky in the Kherson region, a move brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

Washington officials offered mixed explanations for the delay. President Donald Trump said he did not make the call but advised against blaming Musk. Vice-President JD Vance suggested White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement.

Fighting continued across the region on Saturday. A missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region killed one man and wounded two others. Ukrainian forces struck a chemical plant in Tolyatti and an electronics plant in Oryol, where local officials reported three deaths. Drones also reached Omsk, over 2,000 kilometers from the border, attacking an Ozon logistics center without causing casualties.