Accused of throttling Starlink in Ukraine, Musk alleges breach of service terms

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has accused Ukraine of breaching Starlink's terms of service by using the satellite network for offensive drone strikes, according to statements on social media platform X. Musk noted that the violation would result in the termination of service. He claimed that Starlink, a civilian system, was being used for killing people.

However, he added that the terms remain consistent as a civilian system and not for killing. Musk emphasized that Starlink remains critical to the defense of Ukraine, as it is the only system that cannot be jammed or destroyed at the moment. The Ukrainian military, relying on both the civilian Starlink and military-grade Starshield versions, reported a recovery in speed and stable connections, which are crucial for frontline logistics, drone operations, and communications.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevgeniy Khmara stated that the restoration began during the night and is vital for the front line, soldiers, drones, and logistics. The satellite network has been at the center of a dispute between Ukraine and the United States, with President Zelensky accusing Washington of aiding Russia by allegedly throttling Starlink's speed, making it difficult for Ukraine to respond to missile strikes.