A soldier uses a smartphone to check signal quality while setting up a Starlink satellite communication network in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto)
Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones connected to Starshield lost connectivity at high speeds, affecting air defence operations during daily Russian attacks.
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, according to the Associated Press (AP). 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. Ukrainian officials have disputed the allegation, maintaining that existing restrictions prevented the civilian network from being used in the manner Musk described.
Ukrainian officials said the speed restrictions were lifted on Saturday and service was restored.
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. 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.