SpaceX Claims Ukraine Restricted Starlink, Says Service Restored

Elon Musk announced on X that SpaceX had temporarily restricted Ukraine’s Starlink internet service after the Ukrainian military allegedly used the civilian platform for offensive drone strikes, violating its terms of service. Musk said the loophole allowing such use was closed last week and that the service has since been restored. He clarified that Starshield, a US‑controlled military‑grade version of the satellite network, remains separate and under U.S. government control. Ukrainian officials have not commented, but Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov called Musk’s post “very strange.” The incident followed a broader dispute between Washington and Kyiv over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and came after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Musk to reinstate the service. The restoration of Starlink is significant for Ukraine’s ability to coordinate defensive operations and for the broader debate over commercial satellite services’ role in armed conflict.