Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that Starlink and Starshield satellite internet connection speeds have been restored to their former levels, ending more than a week of restrictions that severely impaired front-line military operations. Shortly after Zelenskyy's statement, SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk publicly acknowledged that his company had intentionally throttled the Starlink satellite service across Ukraine, accusing Kyiv's military of using the civilian technology to launch offensive drone strikes.
Writing on social media platform X, Zelenskyy confirmed that network restoration began overnight and reached required operating speeds by Saturday morning. He emphasized that the restored satellite links immediately improved front-line logistics and Ukraine's defense systems against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. Expressing appreciation to international allies, Zelenskyy thanked Americans and partners who addressed the connectivity crisis seriously and assisted Kyiv during the disruption.
Musk defended SpaceX's actions in a Saturday post on X, stating that the civilian commercial service was never permitted for offensive lethal attacks. "Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be," Musk wrote. He alleged that the Ukrainian military violated Starlink's terms of service by using the satellite array for offensive drone strikes, adding that "that loophole was closed last week."
At the same time, Musk asserted that any modifications affecting Starshield—SpaceX's specialized, military-grade satellite internet service that forms the operational backbone for Ukrainian communications and drone missions—remained under the control of the U.S. government. Musk also highlighted SpaceX's ongoing role in bolstering Ukraine's defense efforts since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Uncertainty had mounted over the past week regarding who directed the service restrictions on the satellite network that Kyiv has long depended on to resist Russian attacks. President Donald Trump previously stated that he did not make the decision while maintaining that Musk should not face blame, though reports on Tuesday indicated Musk was behind the disruption. Ukrainian military commanders and government officials had expressed grave concern during the outage, citing lost drones and compromised combat missions.
Khmara attributed the restoration of service to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomatic engagement with Washington, stressing that the practical outcome was vital for forces on the front line, drone operations, logistics, and military communications. The resolution coincides with renewed U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations next month alongside Washington and Kyiv, while Kyiv and Moscow agreed Friday to a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump around Oleshky, a war-damaged, Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's southern Kherson region.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.