Elon Musk says SpaceX was behind Starlink restriction that disrupted Ukraine’s defences
Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX restricted Starlink satellite internet access in Ukraine to prevent the military from using the civilian service for offensive drone strikes. The service has since been restored following diplomatic pressure, though the incident highlights the complex role of private tech companies in active war zones.
Why it matters
This underscores the unprecedented influence of private technology providers on modern military operations and international conflict resolution.
Elon Musk has said his company SpaceX had throttled the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine , disrupting operations that the country relies on to defend itself against Russia.
Musk’s admission on social media came after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links has been restored to the speeds it had before restrictions that disrupted frontline operations for more than a week.
Questions have persisted since last week about who ordered the interruptions to the Musk-made satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow’s attacks.
“The speeds are now where they need to be,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that restoration began on Friday night and were sufficient by Saturday morning, improving frontline logistics and defence against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.
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SpaceX Restores Ukraine Starlink Connection After Elon Musk Restricts Satellite Speeds
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