On October 24, 2026, Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, claimed that the Ukrainian military allegedly violated the terms of use of the Starlink system by using it for drone strikes. According to him, this led to restrictions on the functionality of Starlink, which Musk believes is critically important for Ukraine's defense.
Elon Musk's Statement
Musk emphasized that the disconnection of Starlink could lead to an "immediate collapse of the Ukrainian front." He noted that the possibility of using Starlink for strikes was closed last week. He also reminded that the Starshield system, which is an alternative to Starlink, is controlled by the U.S. government, and decisions regarding its use depend on American authorities.
Response from Ukrainian Military
In response to Musk's accusations, a representative of the Ukrainian military known by the pseudonym "Flash" stated that commercial Starlink cannot be used for long-range strikes. He explained that since winter 2026, all Starlink terminals in Ukraine, including in occupied areas, have speed limitations of 70-90 km/h. He also pointed out that Starlink does not operate at all on the territory of Russia.
Context and Importance of Starlink
Starlink is a crucial element of the communication infrastructure for the Ukrainian military, especially in wartime conditions. Musk claims that SpaceX has done more for Ukraine's defense than any other private company. However, given the restrictions that have been imposed, questions arise about the actual effectiveness of Starlink's use in combat situations.