Amid Ukraine uproar, Musk says decisions to restrict Starshield up to president

SpaceX chief Elon Musk clarified that the StarShield version of Starlink, utilized by Ukraine's military, is owned and controlled by the US government, not SpaceX itself. This clarification arises as reports from Ukraine indicate that a speed restriction imposed on their military network has disrupted their frontline operations.

Ukraine's drones and air defenses rely on Starlink to operate, so the network's throttling directly impacts their combat capabilities. Musk's statement redirects the responsibility from SpaceX to the US government and ultimately to the President. He emphasizes that any adjustments to speed or usage are decided by the US military and President Trump.

Musk further draws a distinction between the two services; StarShield is a military-grade system owned and controlled by the US government, unlike the commercial Starlink service, which is limited to civilian and defensive use. This clarification occurred during a conversation between Musk and former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who appealed to Musk to remove the speed limit on StarShield, critical for Ukraine's defense.

Fedorov's request highlighted the urgency of the situation, urging Musk to support Ukraine's military needs. The situation is further complicated by recent diplomatic tensions, including US pressure on Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries amid a deal between US President Donald Trump and Russia. Musk's role in this narrative adds a new dimension to the ongoing discussion about Washington's influence on Ukraine's defense capabilities.