Elon Musk has said the US government, not SpaceX, is responsible for any restrictions on Ukraine’s use of its Starshield satellite communications system, after Ukrainian officials reported disruptions to military drone missions.
Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” Musk said on Wednesday, October 14, referring to US President Donald Trump .
Both systems were developed by SpaceX, but Musk said the US government owns and controls Starshield and decides how it can be used. “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Musk’s statement drew a distinction between Starshield, the military and intelligence communications system, and Starlink, SpaceX’s civilian satellite service.
Beskrestnov said the reported speed limit was 160 km per hour. SpaceX had not immediately responded to Reuters’ request for comment on the reported disruptions. A Ukrainian defence ministry source told Reuters that military units had reported losing connections at speeds below that threshold.
Musk said any limits on Starshield’s speed or use were decisions for the US military and ultimately the US president, according to AFP Politics. Ukrainian officials said they were seeking clarification from the company, the US government and NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern about Washington’s position and said Ukraine was willing to accept Trump as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also questioned Musk about the restrictions. Poland pays for Ukraine’s Starlink subscriptions. The satellite dispute comes as Trump has urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries.
