Elon Musk Claims Ukraine Misused Starlink To Kill People, Leading To Slowdown; Services Return To Normal After A Week

Elon Musk on Sunday accused Ukraine of violating Starlink’s terms of service by using the satellite internet system for offensive drone strikes. His remarks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Starlink and Starshield services had returned to normal speeds following more than a week of restrictions that disrupted military operations. The development is expected to intensify row over Starlink services that began last week.

Elon Musk Accuses Ukraine

Responding to a post on X, Musk emphasised that Starlink was designed as a civilian commercial service and was not meant to be used for offensive attacks. He claimed Ukraine’s military had violated the company’s rules and said the restrictions introduced last week had closed this loophole. Musk also credited Starlink with helping Ukraine during the early stages of the war, when Russian attacks had damaged or disrupted other communication systems.

Correct. Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be. Starshield, a different system, is controlled by the US government. What they decide to do is up to them. Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week. Starlink remains critical to the defense of Ukraine, as it is the only system that cannot be jammed or blown up, at least for now. Were Starlink to be turned off, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately. This is NOT a threat, it is simply a statement of fact. Starlink was also crucial to preventing Russia from overrunning Ukraine in the early days of the war, as all other means of communication were destroyed or jammed by Russia. SpaceX has done more to defend Ukraine than any private company on Earth BY FAR. That said, I have nothing but UTTER CONTEMPT for the virtue-signaling evil warmongers who push for endless slaughter and offer no realistic solution to the conflict. May you burn in hell. End of story.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 24, 2026

“Correct. Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be. Starshield, a different system, is controlled by the US government. What they decide to do is up to them. Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people. That loophole was closed last week,” Musk wrote on X.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk Ordered Ukraine Military Starlink Network Slowdown That Crippled War Efforts Against Russia

Musk further defended SpaceX’s role in supporting Ukraine and criticised those calling for continued fighting without offering solutions to end the conflict. “Starlink remains critical to the defense of Ukraine, as it is the only system that cannot be jammed or blown up, at least for now. Were Starlink to be turned off, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately. This is NOT a threat, it is simply a statement of fact,” he added.

“Starlink was also crucial to preventing Russia from overrunning Ukraine in the early days of the war, as all other means of communication were destroyed or jammed by Russia. SpaceX has done more to defend Ukraine than any private company on Earth BY FAR,” Musk noted further.

Services Restored Says Zelenskyy

Before Musk’s statement, Zelenskyy said Starlink and Starshield had returned to their required speeds. He said the connection began returning to normal overnight. “The main thing for today is that Starlink and Starshield have resumed operations at their pre-restriction speeds. The speeds are now at the level we need,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials maintained that Ukraine did not depend on Starlink for long-range drone attacks inside Russia, but the system remained important for communications near the front lines.

How Did The Starlink Row Begin?

The rowbegan on October 21, when reports emerged that restrictions on Starlink and Starshield had disrupted Ukrainian military operations. The slowdowns reportedly affected frontline communications, surveillance and drone operations. It sparked anger in Ukraine as they coincided with disruptions to allied warnings about incoming Russian missile attacks. Musk and US officials publicly pointed to each other over who had decided to impose the restrictions. It further grew after Zelenskyy stated that he was not happy with the US’ decision.

ALSO READ: Who Controls Starlink's Limits? Musk Responds After Ukraine's Outcry As Zelenskyy Feels Betrayed By Trump

You May Also Like To Watch: