Musk accuses Ukraine of violating Starlink’s terms of service

SpaceX founder Elon Musk criticized Ukraine on Saturday, alleging the country violated Starlink's terms of service by employing the satellite network for "offensive drone strikes to kill people," following disputes between Washington and Kyiv about disruptions to Starlink, vital for Ukraine's military operations. Musk clarified on X that these terms had remained unchanged, as a civilian system, not intended for lethal purposes, and that non-compliance would lead to the cessation of service.

He affirmed Starlink's ongoing importance to Ukraine's defense, emphasizing its status as the sole system currently untouchable by enemy forces. However, Musk maintained the US government bore responsibility for any service interruptions, not SpaceX. Ukraine's military, reliant on both civilian Starlink and military-grade Starshield systems, reported a speed surge exceeding 400 km/h, critical for frontline logistics, drone operations, and communications.

Defense Minister Yevgeniy Khmara reported the recovery began overnight, crucial for protecting the Ukrainian front. The satellite network has been a point of contention between Ukraine and the U.S., with President Zelensky accusing Washington of enabling Russia by withholding missile strike warnings and throttling Starlink's speed, which Khmara credited as bearing fruit.