KYIV — Elon Musk suggested Tuesday that the U.S. government imposed new speed restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink internet service, disrupting battlefield operations as Russia launched major attacks on the country.
Ukrainian officials reported that the limits capped speeds at 100 mph (160 km/h), severing connectivity for weapons traveling faster than that threshold. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the restrictions a "mistake" or "huge technical problem" and urged officials to restore service.
Musk said Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink, operates under U.S. government control. He stated that any speed or usage limits are determined by the U.S. military and the president.
Starlink is essential to Ukrainian operations, enabling drone targeting of Russian positions and supporting air defense systems. The restrictions came as Russia conducted what Zelensky described as "one of the largest attacks" on Ukraine, killing multiple people in Kyiv and striking communications and energy infrastructure. The assault left at least 600,000 people without electricity across the country.
By Wednesday evening, connectivity was partially restored, according to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former defense minister. Fedorov said on X that removing Starshield's speed limit entirely is "critical for Ukraine's defense" and thanked Musk for his support.
Musk reiterated that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. He clarified that Starlink is designated for civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military actions, which he called "inappropriate for a commercial company."
An adviser to Zelensky, Serhiy Beskrestnov, wrote on Telegram that the timing "cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation," suggesting the restrictions were connected to tensions between Kyiv and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Ukraine's continued strikes against Russian energy facilities.
