SpaceX Admits It Slowed Satellite Internet in Ukraine

For over a week, Ukraine has struggled with degraded satellite internet service critical to its defense operations, a disruption that has now been resolved.

On Saturday, Elon Musk stated that SpaceX was responsible for reducing the speeds of the Starlink service in Ukraine. This admission came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links had returned to normal levels. The slowdown had impacted front-line operations for more than seven days.

Zelenskyy confirmed on X that the speeds are now where they need to be. He noted that the restoration process began overnight and was adequate by Saturday morning, aiding front-line logistics and defense against Russian Shahed drones. Since last week, questions remained regarding who ordered the service interruption.

Musk defended the decision to slow the service. He wrote, "Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be." He explained that the Ukrainian military had violated the terms of service by utilizing it for such strikes, and that this loophole was closed last week.

Musk maintained that the U.S. government controls any changes to Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink that supports Ukraine's drone operations and communications. He also defended SpaceX's contribution to strengthening Ukraine's defenses since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The restrictions on Starshield had alarmed Ukrainian military and government officials, with commanders reporting lost drones and disrupted missions.

The restoration coincides with a fresh U.S. diplomatic push to conclude the war. On Wednesday, Russia agreed to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a war-ravaged, Russian-occupied town in the southern Kherson region, brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump.

The episode added to strain between Kyiv and Washington, already tested by U.S. President Donald Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington, stating that the outcome matters most for the front, the military, drone operations, logistics, and communications.

Trump stated he did not make the call but also that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House co-ordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement.

Fighting continued meanwhile. Local officials reported a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region that killed one man and wounded two others. Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea reported blackouts after overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff said it hit a chemical plant in Tolyatti that produces materials used in rocket fuel, and an electronics plant in Oryol that makes components for Russian missiles. Local officials reported three deaths in the Oryol attack. Ukrainian drones also reached Russia's Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometres from the border, where online retailer Ozon stated a drone attacked its logistics center with no casualties.

Officials in Lozova, in the Kharkiv region, reported a missile strike that killed one person and injured two others. Blackouts were reported by Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea following overnight attacks by Ukraine. Ukraine's General Staff reported striking a chemical plant in Tolyatti that produces rocket fuel materials and an electronics plant in Oryol that makes components for Russian missiles. Three people died in the Oryol attack, local officials said. Ukrainian drones also reached Russia's Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometres from the border, where online retailer Ozon stated a drone attacked its logistics center with no casualties.