SpaceX restores full Starlink speeds in Ukraine after week-long cut

Elon Musk admitted on Saturday that SpaceX deliberately slowed Starlink internet speeds in Ukraine for seven days. The restriction disrupted the satellite network that Ukrainian forces use to coordinate defenses and logistics against Russian attacks.

Musk made the confirmation in a post on X after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the service was back to full capacity. Zelenskyy stated that the slowdown had hindered front-line operations since the previous week. He noted that speeds were fully restored by Saturday morning, improving the military's ability to track and intercept Russian Shahed drones.

Musk defended the decision by arguing that Starlink is a civilian commercial service. He wrote that the Ukrainian military violated the terms of service by using the network for offensive drone strikes. According to Musk, the company closed that loophole last week to align usage with its policy.

The company also managed Starshield, the military-grade version of the satellite system. Musk said the U.S. government controls changes to Starshield, which underpins Ukraine's communications and drone operations. Ukrainian commanders had reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the period of reduced bandwidth.

This episode occurred as Washington sought to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the U.S. and Ukraine next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around the town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, a deal brokered by First Lady Melania Trump.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue with Washington for the resolution. He said the outcome was critical for the front line, drone operations, and logistics. White House officials have sent mixed signals about their involvement, with Vice President JD Vance hinting at coordination and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denying it.

Combat continued during the service disruption. Local officials reported one death and two injuries in a missile strike on Lozova in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine's General Staff said it hit a chemical plant in Tolyatti and an electronics plant in Oryol, where three people died. Ukrainian drones also struck a logistics center in the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border.