SpaceX Admits to Throttling Ukrainian Satellite Internet, Straining Military Operations

Elon Musk publicly acknowledged on Saturday that SpaceX intentionally slowed the bandwidth of its Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. The admission clarifies a source of significant friction between Kyiv and Washington, as the reduction in speed disrupted critical military operations that Ukraine relies upon for its defense against Russia. This revelation comes shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that full service speeds had been reinstated, ending a period of technical uncertainty that had persisted for over a week.

The timeline of these events reveals a sequence of diplomatic and technical shifts. Questions regarding the origin of the interruptions began circulating last week after Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and stalled missions. Zelenskyy noted that the restrictions negatively impacted front-line logistics and the ability to counter Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. He stated on social media that the restoration process began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning, ensuring the system was functioning at the required capacity.

Musk defended the decision by arguing that Starlink is a civilian commercial product rather than a military weapon. He wrote on X that using the service for offensive drone strikes to kill people was never permitted under the terms of service. According to the billionaire, the Ukrainian military had violated these rules, and the company closed this loophole during the previous week. However, he clarified that the U.S. government retains control over Starshield, the military-grade version of the technology that supports Ukraine's drone operations and communications.

The resolution of this issue arrives during a period of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. On Wednesday, Russia agreed to resume three-way talks with the United States and Ukraine next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow reached a localized ceasefire agreement around the war-torn town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, a move brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Despite these diplomatic gains, the satellite internet dispute added further strain to the relationship between the two allies.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara attributed the successful restoration to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomatic engagement with Washington. He emphasized that the outcome is vital for the front lines, specifically for drone operations, logistics, and communications. The incident followed earlier tensions caused by a reported deal between Trump and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports, which Kyiv viewed as a betrayal. While Trump stated he did not make the specific call to slow the internet, he suggested Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any direct administration involvement.

Combat operations continued amidst these diplomatic developments. Local officials reported that a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region killed one man and injured two others. In Crimea, authorities reported blackouts following overnight Ukrainian strikes. The Ukrainian General Staff announced that it targeted a chemical plant in Tolyatti, which produces materials for rocket fuel, and an electronics facility in Oryol that manufactures missile components. Three people died in the Oryol attack, while Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region, over 2,000 kilometres from the border, striking a logistics centre for the online retailer Ozon without causing casualties.