RismadarVoice Reporters
October 25, 2026
SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has accused Ukraine’s military of violating Starlink’s terms of service by allegedly using the satellite communications network to conduct offensive drone strikes against Russian targets.
Musk made the allegation on Saturday in a post on X, claiming that Ukrainian forces had used the civilian satellite service for military operations intended to kill people.
He said SpaceX had closed the loophole that allegedly allowed such activities during the previous week.
The billionaire maintained that Starlink was designed primarily as a civilian communications service and should not be used for offensive military operations.
He warned that violations of the company’s terms could result in the termination of service.
Despite the accusation, Musk acknowledged the importance of Starlink to Ukraine’s defence against Russia, describing the network as essential to frontline communications.
He further claimed that a complete shutdown of Starlink would cause Ukraine’s frontline to collapse, although that assessment has not been independently established.
Musk distinguished Starlink from Starshield, a military-focused satellite communications system operated under arrangements with the United States government.
The controversy follows more than a week of restrictions affecting Ukraine’s access to the systems, disrupting military communications, drone operations and logistics.
Ukrainian officials previously reported that some connections stopped functioning when equipment was mounted on vehicles or drones travelling above approximately 160 kilometres per hour.
However, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that operating speeds had been restored.
Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said monitoring systems recorded stable connectivity on equipment moving at speeds exceeding 400 kilometres per hour.
The figure refers to the movement speed of connected equipment, not internet download or upload speeds.
Khmara described the restoration as significant for frontline operations, including drone missions, military logistics and communications.
He credited direct diplomatic engagement and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s position for the improvement.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov disputed Musk’s allegations, arguing that technical restrictions prevented commercial Starlink terminals from supporting long- and medium-range offensive drone strikes.
The competing accounts have raised questions about responsibility for the restrictions and the extent of SpaceX’s control over military applications of its satellite technology.
Reports have also presented conflicting accounts of whether the restrictions originated from SpaceX or decisions involving the United States government.
The dispute comes amid strained relations between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s military operations against Russian targets and broader efforts to negotiate an end to the war.
Starlink and Starshield remain important components of Ukraine’s communications infrastructure as Russian attacks and Ukrainian defensive operations continue.
Although Ukraine has reported the restoration of normal operating speeds, Musk’s allegations of contractual violations remain disputed.
