SpaceX confirms one-week Starlink speed reduction in Ukraine

Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday that SpaceX deliberately reduced the speed of Starlink internet service in Ukraine. The admission came in a post on the social media platform X. It followed a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming that full speeds had been restored. Zelenskyy reported that the restrictions affected front-line operations for more than one week.

Musk justified the technical change by citing the company's terms of service. He argued that using a civilian commercial service for offensive drone strikes was not permitted. According to Musk, the Ukrainian military violated these rules by using the network for such attacks. He stated that the specific loophole allowing this usage was closed the previous week. The slowdown disrupted logistics and defense systems against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.

Zelenskyy wrote that the restoration process began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning. He noted that the return to standard speeds improved military logistics. The Ukrainian government also monitors Starshield, a military-grade version of the satellite system. Musk maintained that the U.S. government controls changes to Starshield. However, he said SpaceX managed the civilian Starlink network that Ukraine has relied on since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The technical dispute adds to diplomatic tension between Kyiv and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not make the decision to slow the service. However, he stated that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at coordination between the White House and Musk. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the administration was involved. Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy for resolving the issue.

The resolution coincides with new diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the United States and Ukraine next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky. This town in the southern Kherson region is under Russian occupation. The ceasefire was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

Combat operations continued across the region on Saturday. Local officials reported that a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region killed one man and wounded two others. Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea reported power outages following overnight Ukrainian strikes. Ukraine's General Staff announced it hit a chemical plant in Tolyatti. That facility produces materials used in rocket fuel. The staff also struck an electronics plant in Oryol that manufactures components for Russian missiles. Local officials said three people died in the Oryol attack.

Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region in Russia. This area is more than 2,000 kilometres from the border. Online retailer Ozon stated that a drone attacked its logistics centre in Omsk. The company reported no casualties from the strike.