‘Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government.’ Musk responds to Ukraine’s complaints about restrictions on the military version of Starlink.

SpaceX has restored service in Ukraine for Starlink satellite terminals moving at high speeds, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on the evening of October 14.

“Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h [about 100 mph] is being restored. Removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense. Thank you, Elon Musk. We hope for your continued support,” Fedorov said on social media.

In response, Musk said Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” Musk said. He said Starlink is a commercial service whose use is “limited to civilian or defensive activities.”

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry told journalists that SpaceX still imposes a speed limit of 161 kilometers per hour (about 100 mph) on the terminals. “However, we’re currently seeing improved connection quality at speeds of up to 160 [km],” officials said.

Ukrainian military personnel and officials said on the morning of October 14 that SpaceX had restricted service without warning for Starlink terminals used by Ukraine’s armed forces on the front lines. The restrictions affected Starshield, the military version of Starlink needed to launch drones. Some even compared the damage the Starlink slowdown caused Ukraine’s armed forces to a nuclear strike on Ukraine.

• The restrictions on Starshield came amid a crisis in relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

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