Musk Admits SpaceX Slowed Ukraine Internet for a Week

Elon Musk said on Saturday that SpaceX ordered a slowdown of Starlink satellite internet speeds in Ukraine. The restriction disrupted the system the country relies on for defense against Russia. The cut lasted more than a week before full speeds returned.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the restoration on X. He said the speeds were back to normal by Saturday morning. Zelenskyy noted that the earlier limits hampered front-line logistics and defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.

Musk defended the decision in a post on the social platform. He stated that using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people was never allowed. He claimed the Ukrainian military violated the terms of service by using the system for such attacks. Musk said the loophole was closed last week.

Musk maintained that the U.S. government controlled any changes to Starshield, the military-grade version of the service. He defended SpaceX’s role in strengthening Ukraine’s defenses since the invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the restriction period.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue with Washington for the resolution. He said the outcome mattered most for the front line, military operations, drone work, logistics, and communications. The strain between Kyiv and Washington had grown after U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports.

Trump said he did not make the call to slow the speeds but added that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination with Musk. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement in the decision.

The restoration comes as U.S. diplomats push to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky in the southern Kherson region, a deal brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump.