Elon Musk stated that the US government, not SpaceX, controls Starshield speed limits in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported disruptions to drone operations, while President Zelensky warned the slowdown could cost lives.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Elon Musk stated on Wednesday that the Trump administration, rather than SpaceX, is responsible for throttling Starshield, the military version of Starlink, in Ukraine. The restriction, which limits connectivity for terminals moving at high speeds, has disrupted Ukrainian drone operations and logistical efforts against Russian forces.
Following initial criticism from Ukrainian and European officials, Musk clarified the ownership and control structure of the satellite services. "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government," Musk said. "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS."
Musk distinguished Starshield from the commercial Starlink service, stating, "Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX." He added that "Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company."
Ukrainian officials reported that the throttling affected drones traveling at speeds of 160 km/h or more, hindering their ability to conduct attacks and maintain logistics. Serhii Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian defence technology adviser, said Ukraine was "deprived of one of the few chances to defend itself from Shahed drones." He noted that frontline logistics and long-distance missions were also disrupted.
Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported that connections dropped for 10 to 20 seconds when drones traveled at speeds of 110 to 120 kmph. "The drones kept moving, but these interruptions made them harder to control," the corps said in a statement to Reuters.
By 2 pm ET, Ukraine’s defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced that "connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored." Fedorov emphasized that "Removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the slowdown would have severe consequences. "It’s a big mistake," Zelensky told "Piers Morgan Uncensored." "People will die."
The restrictions coincided with heightened tensions between Kyiv and Washington. President Trump has criticized Ukraine for strikes on Russian refineries, which he links to high diesel prices in the US. Trump recently lifted sanctions on Russian diesel, a move Ukraine views as aiding Moscow. Sources told Reuters that the US has threatened to cut off intelligence sharing unless Ukraine suspends attacks on Russian oil refineries, though Trump stated on Tuesday that the US has not stopped sharing intelligence.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, whose country pays for Ukrainian Starlink subscriptions, criticized Musk on X. "Hey Elon Musk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again?" Sikorski wrote. "As your European customers, we are watching you."
The incident highlights the complex intersection of private technology and state policy in modern warfare. While SpaceX operates the infrastructure, the US government’s control over Starshield means that diplomatic and military decisions in Washington directly impact battlefield capabilities in Ukraine. The disruption underscores the vulnerability of relying on commercial satellite networks for critical military communications and the potential for such services to become points of geopolitical leverage.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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