Elon Musk's Starlink and Starshield, and what they mean to Ukraine

The European Union has expressed deep concern over reports that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has placed restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. This move, according to the EU, is inconsistent with SpaceX's previous practice of sharing these services. The EU spokesman emphasized the urgent need for SpaceX to restore full services in Ukraine. Ukraine's war efforts, which include the use of drones for defense, require Starlink services to function optimally.

The spokesman highlighted that the war in Ukraine has underscored Europe's heavy reliance on space-based infrastructure for security purposes. In response, the EU is actively developing a new satellite network called IRIS2, which will consist of over 300 satellites. This network is designed to provide highly secure satellite communications for both civilian and military uses, and Ukraine will be fully associated with this project.

Earlier reports from the Wall Street Journal and CBS News suggested that Musk was responsible for the service restrictions in Ukraine. According to CBS News, Musk had several discussions with government officials before making this decision. He reportedly sought clarification on President Donald Trump's stance on the issue. The WSJ reported that Musk and Trump later had a direct phone conversation after the restrictions were imposed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, reported that mobile Starlink terminals used for drones were unable to maintain connections once the drones reached a certain speed. This issue affected both defense drones and those used to attack military targets.