Musk says US government may control Ukraine Starshield internet speeds

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has suggested that the United States government may be responsible for speed restrictions affecting satellite internet used by Ukrainian forces, according to BBC News World and the South China Morning Post. On Tuesday night, Ukrainian officials reported that unexpected speed limits on Starlink terminals were disrupting battlefield missions. Al Jazeera English reported that Ukrainian officials accused SpaceX of throttling terminals traveling over 100 miles per hour without warning, which restricted their ability to launch drones. [1][2][4]

According to the South China Morning Post, Elon Musk stated on Wednesday that Starshield military systems are owned and controlled by the United States government, making any reported disruptions the responsibility of Washington rather than SpaceX. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believed the new speed restrictions were connected to ongoing political strains between Kyiv and Washington, BBC News World and Al Jazeera English reported. [1][2][4]

France 24 English reported that analysts view the new restrictions as highlighting Ukraine's heavy reliance on satellite internet for both offensive and defensive military actions. Starlink is crucial for guiding Ukrainian drones toward targets and protecting airspace. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, starting the largest war in Europe since World War II and causing hundreds of thousands of military casualties. [1][3][10]

The disruptions occurred while Ukraine was recovering from a second night of ballistic missile attacks, according to Al Jazeera English. United States Republican Senator Thom Tillis has asked Elon Musk to explain why Ukraine lost access to Starlink, according to The Hill. [4][9]