Starlink in Ukraine: Why SpaceX Throttled It and What Happened Next

In October 2026 Ukraine reported that its military Starlink connections were restricted. Elon Musk later confirmed SpaceX throttled the service. Here is the timeline from news reports.

1. The restrictions

Ukrainian officials said Starshield, the military version of Starlink, was limited from mid-October, and that drones flying faster than about 100 mph lost their connection.

2. Musk confirms

On October 24, 2026 Musk said SpaceX throttled the service because Ukraine's military used it for offensive drone strikes in breach of Starlink's terms, and that the "loophole" was closed. He also said the US government controls changes to Starshield.

3. Ukraine's response

Ukrainian officials deny breaking the terms. President Zelenskyy said speeds were restored to where they need to be; the military said it is still testing.

4. The US role

President Trump said Musk had been asked to restore access and that he did, and has said he was not involved in limiting it.

Sources

CBS News, NBC News, TechCrunch and CNBC, October 23-25, 2026.

FAQ

Is Starlink working in Ukraine now?

Ukraine's president says speeds are back to normal; the military says it is still testing.

What is Starshield?

SpaceX's military-grade version of Starlink, used by Ukraine for drone operations.