Ukraine: Zelensky questions if Musk acted alone on Starlink cuts
The Ukrainian president said military speed restrictions likely involved U.S. government officials, contradicting claims that it was a purely private decision.
By Amelia Gupta ·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he does not believe SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made the decision to slow down military satellite speeds in isolation. During a recent interview with PBS News, Zelensky argued that the move likely involved representatives from the American government. He described the situation as a dialogue between specific individuals that resulted in a negative outcome for Ukraine.
The restriction targeted Starshield, the military version of the Starlink system. It limited Ukrainian military drones, airplanes, and helicopters traveling at speeds greater than 100 mph. Zelensky noted that Starshield is a government version of the technology, which makes him skeptical that a private CEO could restrict it without official input. He admitted he does not know exactly who from the U.S. government allowed the change, but he believes it was not a solo act by Musk.
Musk initially stated that the choice to restrict Starshield usage belongs to the U.S. military and the president. Later, he posted on social media that Ukrainian forces had violated the terms of service. He claimed they used the system for offensive drone strikes to kill people, a loophole that was closed the previous week. In that same post, Musk acknowledged that Starlink remains critical to Ukraine’s defense.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for the Starlink service, which Ukraine has used since the start of the war with Russia. He said he wanted to speak with Musk following the incident. The president also explained that if restrictions are lifted, Ukraine intends to use Starshield inside Russia to locate ballistic launchers. He described the technology as essential for finding specific military targets.
U.S. officials have largely distanced themselves from the decision. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the White House had no involvement. Rubio told reporters in October that the matter is governed by a private commercial contract. He explained that the contract dictates how the equipment can be used and what speeds are permitted.
The dispute centers on the interpretation of that commercial agreement. Musk argued that using the commercial service for offensive strikes was not allowed. Zelensky countered that the military nature of Starshield suggests a higher level of government coordination. The two leaders maintain different views on who held the final authority to throttle the network’s performance for Ukrainian forces.
