SpaceX restricts Ukraine's access to Starlink internet service

SpaceX has restricted Ukraine's access to its Starlink internet service, according to Elon Musk. The decision comes after Ukrainian officials reported connectivity issues that had been affecting their operations for over a week.

Musk cited Ukraine's use of the civilian service for military purposes as the reason behind the restriction. He claimed that using Starlink for offensive drone strikes was not allowed under its terms of service, and that this loophole had been closed last week. Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on Musk's latest statement.

The move has sparked controversy, with many questioning why Ukraine's use of Starlink was being restricted when it is a civilian service meant to provide internet access in areas where other services are not available. The restriction also comes amid a broader row between Washington and Kyiv over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump had earlier weighed in on the issue, reportedly telling Musk to "put it back" after denying that he had instructed him to limit the service.

SpaceX's restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starlink have been clarified by Elon Musk, who stated that the service can be used for infrastructure that is military, but not for unequivocally offensive strikes that could be targeted back.

Musk emphasized this point in a social media post, highlighting that Starshield, a separate system controlled by the US government, has different capabilities and restrictions compared to Starlink.

In response to Musk's clarification, Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration with the speed limitations imposed on drones operating via Starlink within their territory. According to Beskrestnov, these drones can only operate at speeds of 70-90km/h (43-56mph) and are restricted from using commercial Starlink for deep strikes or medium-range attacks.

The lack of awareness about these restrictions on the part of Elon Musk has been pointed out by Ukrainian officials, who note that this would have a significant impact on their military operations.

The connection issues experienced by Ukraine's military have been attributed to restrictions imposed by SpaceX on its Starlink service. According to reports, the network is not authorized for use in Russia, which has implications for Ukraine's long-range missile and drone strikes against Russian oil refineries.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara confirmed that a stable connection has now been established, allowing drones to reach speeds of over 400km/h. This marks an improvement from previous limitations, where the connection would cut out above 161km/h.

The restoration of the Starlink service has come as Ukraine continues to target Russian oil infrastructure in its war against Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed relief that the speeds are now sufficient for military operations.

The timing of the connection issues coincided with a diplomatic standoff between Zelensky and Trump over Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. The attacks have had significant implications for global fuel prices, although experts suggest that price rises this year are largely due to other factors, such as the Iran war.

Ukraine's President Zelensky initially agreed to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities under the condition that Moscow would stop targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, but the agreement was short-lived.

After several instances of Russia disregarding this pact, Ukraine resumed its strikes, prompting a response from the US, which has been providing intelligence support to Ukraine through its Starlink service. The US threatened to withdraw this support if the strikes continued, a move that would severely limit Ukraine's access to crucial communication and navigation tools.

The reliance on Starlink in Ukraine is rooted in the country's limited internet infrastructure, making it essential for military operations and civilian communication. Europe has been exploring ways to fill this gap, but any potential solution would require significant investment and technical expertise.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continued overnight, with emergency services reporting three fatalities and 15 injuries in attacks on the Dnipropetrovsk region in southeastern Ukraine. Six people were also injured when a Russian drone struck an apartment block in the central city of Vinnytsia.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with each side launching attacks on strategic targets. The Ukrainian defence ministry reported that it had struck a facility in Oryol, a Russian city, which is owned by a sanctioned heavy machinery manufacturer.

The ongoing fighting has now lasted for five years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Despite the complexities and challenges of war, internet connectivity remains crucial on the battlefield, with services like Starlink providing vital communication links.