In brief
Elon Musk has claimed that any restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink bandwidth are imposed by the U.S. military, not by his company SpaceX. Kyiv’s forces, which rely on Starlink for targeting drones and air defence, have been hit by sudden speed limits that cut fast‑moving weapons off the network. Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky’s advisers, say the cuts are linked to simmering tension with Washington. Musk reiterated that Starlink is for civilian or defensive use only and that any usage limits come from the U.S. government.
Elon Musk says the U.S. is behind Ukraine’s Starlink speed caps
In a series of X posts, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has blamed the United States for imposing new speed restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink internet service. The limits, which capped bandwidth at 100 mph (160 km/h) on Tuesday night, have sidelined faster‑moving weapons from the satellite network, disrupting the country’s drone‑guided attacks on Russian positions.
Zelensky’s aides said the cut is no coincidence and is tied to growing friction between Kyiv and Washington. Ukrainian defence officials have pleaded for full connectivity in the wake of heavy Russian strikes that killed civilians in Kyiv and hit critical communications and energy infrastructure.
"Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the President," Musk wrote on X.
He also added that Starlink is meant for civil or defensive purposes and “cannot be used for offensive military action,” calling it inappropriate for a commercial company. The U.S. government has not yet commented on the issue.
Starlink, a civilian satellite‑internet constellation, has become a battlefield asset for Ukraine, enabling real‑time targeting of drones and improved air‑defence systems. Starshield, its military‑grade counterpart, is marketed to governments but is also subject to U.S. export controls.
The sudden speed limit came after Russia launched lethal attacks that left about 600,000 people in Ukraine without electricity and destroyed key infrastructure. Ukrainian officials say the throttling is felt most acutely during active combat, where high‑speed drones are essential.
While the U.S. denies any involvement, Ukrainian officials remain adamant that the caps are a political move by Washington. Musk’s stance underscores the growing skepticism toward U.S. support amid the ongoing conflict.
