SpaceX Confirms Throttling of Ukrainian Starlink Network

SpaceX limited the speed of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine for seven days, a move Elon Musk admitted on Saturday. The restriction slowed the service that Ukrainian forces use for communications and drone strikes against Russian targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on X that access to Starlink and Starshield returned to normal levels. He stated the fix began overnight and was fully in place by Saturday morning. The restoration improved logistics on the front lines and aided the defense against Russian Shahed drones.

Musk posted on X that SpaceX controlled the Starlink slowdown. He argued that using the civilian commercial service for offensive drone strikes violated the terms of service. The company closed that loophole last week. Musk said the speeds are now where they need to be.

The U.S. government retains control over Starshield, the military-grade version of the system. Zelenskyy noted that the restrictions hampered operations for more than a week. Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the slowdown.

Diplomatic efforts continue alongside the technical resolution. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the United States and Ukraine next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a localized ceasefire near Oleshky in the Kherson region. U.S. First Lady Melania Trump brokered that deal.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomacy for resolving the issue. He said the outcome matters for the military, drone operations, and communications. The White House has offered mixed signals on its involvement.

President Donald Trump said he did not make the call to throttle speeds but noted Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at coordination with Musk. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied administration involvement. Fighting continued in other areas, including missile strikes in Kharkiv and drone attacks on Russian industrial sites.