Ukraine hits back at Musk’s claim over civilian Starlink use for offensive strikes

Ukraine has rejected Elon Musk’s claim that its military violated Starlink’s terms of service by using the civilian satellite internet network for offensive drone strikes, disputing the allegation amid questions over connectivity disruptions that reportedly affected Ukrainian drone operations and air defences.

According to the Associated Press (AP), Serhii Beskrestnov, a defence technology adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said existing restrictions on Starlink’s operation in Ukraine made such offensive use impossible. “It's very strange that Elon Musk doesn't know about the restrictions on Starlink's operation in Ukraine,” Beskrestnov wrote in an online post.

Musk acknowledged on Saturday that SpaceX had throttled Starlink in Ukraine, arguing that the civilian commercial service was not intended for offensive strikes. “Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be,” he wrote. He further added that, “Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week."

Ukrainian officials have disputed the allegation, maintaining that existing restrictions prevented the civilian network from being used in the manner Musk described. The dispute comes after restrictions on Starlink and its military-focused counterpart, Starshield, reportedly disrupted Ukrainian military operations. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones connected to Starshield lost connectivity at high speeds, affecting air defence operations during daily Russian attacks. Ukrainian officials said the speed restrictions were lifted on Saturday and service was restored.

US President Donald Trump has maintained that he did not make the decision, while Vice President JD Vance has hinted at coordination between the White House and Musk. The episode has added to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, whose relationship has already been strained by disagreements over US policy towards Russia. The restoration of Starlink service followed renewed US diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localised ceasefire brokered by US first lady Melania Trump around Oleshky, a war-ravaged town under Russian occupation in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russia had launched nearly 2,300 strike drones against Ukrainian cities over the preceding week, renewing his call for Western allies to accelerate deliveries of air-defence interceptors.