SpaceX CEO admits to slowing Ukraine's satellite internet

Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday that SpaceX intentionally reduced the speed of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine. The decision created a significant disruption for a nation that relies heavily on the service for its defense against Russia. This admission followed a public statement from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted that full access to both Starlink and the military-grade Starshield system had been restored to previous levels.

Zelenskyy indicated that the reduced speeds negatively impacted front-line activities for over seven days. He stated that the restoration process began in the early hours of Saturday and was completed by morning. The return to normal operations improved logistics and strengthened defenses against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. For weeks, uncertainty had surrounded which entity ordered the slowdowns to the communication network that Kyiv has utilized since the start of the conflict.

Musk justified the action by arguing that a civilian commercial service should not be used for offensive drone strikes. He wrote on X that such usage had never been permitted and that the Ukrainian military had violated the terms of service. He claimed the loophole was closed last week. However, he maintained that the U.S. government held control over changes to Starshield, the military version that supports drone operations and communications. SpaceX also defended its overall role in bolstering Ukraine's defenses since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The restoration of speeds occurs during a new phase of U.S. diplomacy aimed at ending the war. On Wednesday, Russia agreed to resume trilateral talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a limited ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the southern Kherson region. This ceasefire was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The incident has added tension to the relationship between Kyiv and Washington, which was already strained by a reported U.S. deal with Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports. Ukrainian officials viewed that deal as a betrayal.

Yevhenii Khmara, the Ukrainian Defence Minister, credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomatic efforts for resolving the issue. He emphasized that the outcome is vital for the front line, military operations, drone work, logistics, and communications. In Washington, President Donald Trump stated he did not make the decision but suggested Musk should not be blamed. Vice President JD Vance hinted at coordination between the White House and Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any involvement from the administration.

Combat operations continued across the front. Local officials reported that a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region killed one man and injured two others. Authorities installed by Moscow in Crimea reported power outages following overnight Ukrainian strikes. The Ukrainian General Staff said it targeted a chemical plant in Tolyatti that produces rocket fuel materials and an electronics factory in Oryol that manufactures missile components. Local officials said three people died in the Oryol strike. Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border, where the online retailer Ozon reported a drone attack on its logistics center with no injuries.