SpaceX restores Ukraine's Starlink speeds after seven-day cut

Elon Musk confirmed on Saturday that SpaceX deliberately slowed Starlink internet speeds in Ukraine for a week. The restriction, which disrupted military operations, was lifted overnight, and full service returned by Saturday morning according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy stated that the slowdown hampered front-line operations for more than seven days. The restoration improved logistics and defenses against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. Musk explained the decision in a post on X, arguing that using a civilian commercial service for offensive drone strikes had never been permitted. He claimed the Ukrainian military violated the terms of service and that the loophole was closed last week.

Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions while the Starshield links, a military-grade version of the system, were also restricted. Musk maintained that the U.S. government controlled changes to Starshield, denying direct SpaceX involvement in the military-grade cuts. He defended SpaceX's broader role in strengthening Ukraine's defenses since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The incident occurred while a new U.S. diplomatic effort to end the war was underway. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky in the southern Kherson region, a measure brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not make the call to slow the speeds but also stated that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement in the decision.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy for resolving the issue. He said the outcome mattered most for the front, military work, drones, logistics, and communications. The episode added to strain between Kyiv and Washington, which was already tested by Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports.

Fighting continued across the front. Local officials reported a man killed and two others wounded in a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region. Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea reported blackouts following overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff said it struck a chemical plant in Tolyatti that produces rocket fuel materials and an electronics plant in Oryol that makes missile components. Three people died in the Oryol attack. Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometres from the border, where online retailer Ozon said a drone attacked its logistics centre with no casualties.