Musk admits throttling Ukraine's Starlink after service restored

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 25 Oct, 22:49 · Archive

Elon Musk acknowledged that SpaceX throttled Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, saying the military had violated terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes.

Elon Musk acknowledged on Saturday that SpaceX had throttled Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, confirming questions that had persisted since restrictions disrupted front-line operations for more than a week. Musk said in a post on X that Ukraine's military had violated Starlink's terms of service by using the civilian commercial system for offensive drone strikes. He wrote: 'Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be.' He added that his company had closed that loophole last week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links had been restored to the speeds it had before the restrictions. Restoration began overnight and were sufficient by Saturday morning, improving front-line logistics and defence against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. Musk maintained that the U.S. government controlled whatever changes happened with Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink that is the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communication.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Ukraine disputes Musk's claim that its military violated Starlink's terms of service.

How it is being reported

• Ukraine disputes Elon Musk's claim that its military violated Starlink's terms of servicePittsburgh Post-Gazette · 25 Oct, 22:18
• Ukraine disputes Elon Musk’s claim that its military violated Starlink’s terms of serviceKYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials have disputed claims by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that the country’s military violated Starlink’s terms of service by using the civilian satellite internet network for offensive drone strikes.TribLIVE · 25 Oct, 18:53
• Musk says he was behind Starlink speed restriction after service in Ukraine is restoredKYIV, Ukraine — Elon Musk said on Saturday that his company SpaceX had throttled the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, disrupting operations that the country relies on to defend itself against Russia.TribLIVE · 24 Oct, 21:24

In this story: Elon Musk · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · SpaceX · Ukraine · Russia

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