Ukraine disputes Musk's claim of Starlink terms violation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Ukrainian officials have disputed Elon Musk's claim that their military violated Starlink's terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes.

Ukrainian officials dispute Elon Musk's claim that their military violated Starlink's terms of service by using the civilian satellite internet network for offensive drone strikes. Serhii Beskrestnov, a defence technology adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said long-standing restrictions on the civilian system in Ukraine made such offensive use impossible. "It's very strange that Elon Musk doesn't know about the restrictions on Starlink's operation in Ukraine," Beskrestnov wrote.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones connected to Starshield, the military-focused version of Starlink, lost connectivity at high speeds, disrupting air defences during Russian air attacks. Officials said the speed caps were lifted on Saturday and the service was restored. Questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Ukraine has relied on to counter Moscow's attacks.

Musk acknowledged on Saturday that SpaceX had throttled Starlink in Ukraine. "Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be," he wrote. "Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week." He maintained that the U.S. government controlled whatever changes happened with Starshield, which is the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communication. U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that he did not make that call, while Vice President JD Vance has hinted at White House coordination with Musk.

How it is being reported

• Ukraine disputes Elon Musk's claim that its military violated Starlink's terms of serviceUkrainian officials have disputed Elon Musk's claims that their military violated Starlink’s terms by using it for offensive drone strikes.Clickorlando · 25 Oct, 13:40
• Ukraine disputes Elon Musk's claim that its military violated Starlink's terms of serviceUkrainian officials have disputed Elon Musk's claims that their military violated Starlink’s terms by using it for offensive drone strikes.News4Jax · 25 Oct, 13:40

In this story: Elon Musk · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Serhii Beskrestnov · SpaceX · Ukraine · United States

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