Elon Musk admits to restricting Ukraine’s use of Starlink

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The move disrupted Ukrainian military operations amidst its war with Russia.

Mr Musk’s admission on social media came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links has been restored to the speeds it had before restrictions that disrupted front-line operations for more than a week.

Questions have persisted since last week about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kiev has relied on for years to counter Moscow’s attacks.

“The speeds are now where they need to be,” President Zelensky wrote on social media, adding that restoration began overnight and were sufficient by Saturday morning, improving front-line logistics and defence against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.

In a post on his social media platform X on Saturday, Mr Musk wrote: “Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be.

“Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week.”

But Mr Musk maintained that the US government controlled whatever changes happened with Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink that is the backbone of Ukraine’s drone operations and communication. 

The episode added to tensions between Kiev and Washington, a relationship already strained by President Donald Trump’s reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal.

Although President Trump has denied any involvement in restricting Starlink, US Vice-President JD Vance has hinted at White House co-ordination with Mr Musk.

But Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have both denied any administration involvement.