Ukraine Starlink dispute deepens as adviser rejects Musk claim

The Ukraine Starlink dispute continued on Sunday as a Ukrainian defence technology adviser rejected Elon Musk's allegation that the military had used the civilian network for offensive drone attacks. Serhii Beskrestnov said operating limits made the use described by Musk impossible.

Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the commercial service did not operate inside Russia. He added that drones using it in Ukraine had faced speed restrictions of between 70 and 90 kilometres per hour for several months.

Those limits, he argued, prevented medium-range and deep-strike missions using the civilian system. His response followed Musk's Saturday statement alleging that Ukraine had breached the service's terms.

Musk acknowledged that SpaceX had restricted Starlink access and said the commercial network was not intended to enable offensive strikes. Ukraine disputes his account of how its forces had used the service.

Connectivity restored after operational disruption

The Ukraine Starlink dispute follows a period of reduced connectivity that Ukrainian officials said affected drone missions and air defence. On Saturday, Kyiv announced that speeds on Starlink and the separate Starshield service had returned to their previous levels.

Starlink provides commercial satellite internet, while Starshield is designed for military and government use. Musk said decisions concerning Starshield rested with the US government.

US President Donald Trump said he had not made the decision to impose restrictions. Vice President JD Vance indicated that the White House had coordinated with Musk on the issue, according to reports.

Ukraine's defence minister, Yevhenii Khmara, credited direct discussions and Zelenskyy's diplomatic engagement with Washington for the restoration. He identified drone operations, logistics and communications as priorities.

Ukraine and its partners are also pursuing alternative satellite communications arrangements. The reported initiatives include partnerships involving Norway, Nokia and satellite manufacturer ICEYE, alongside broader European efforts to develop independent infrastructure.

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