Musk accused Ukraine of violating Starlink rules

Musk accused Ukraine of violating Starlink rules

The Ukrainian military violated the terms of use of the Starlink satellite communications system and used it to launch strikes using drones to kill people, he wrote.

"Starlink, a commercial civilian service, has never been allowed and should never be allowed to be used for drone attack strikes to kill people. The other system — Starshield — is under the control of the US government. Deciding how to use it is entirely at their discretion," he added.

Musk also stated that Starlink is crucial for Ukraine's defense, as it is "the only system that cannot be disabled or destroyed."

"If Starlink is turned off, the Ukrainian front will collapse immediately. This is not a threat, but simply a statement of fact," he emphasized.

Starlink is SpaceX's commercial satellite network providing broadband internet access, used by individuals, companies, and government entities.

Starshield is a separate SpaceX business line designed for government tasks in the area of national security. It includes secure communications, Earth observation, and hosting payload equipment on satellites. This system also provides additional cryptographic protection and the ability to process classified data.

At the same time, Starshield uses Starlink technology, and some of its communication services rely on the same satellite constellation and ground infrastructure. The main difference lies in their purpose and control: Starlink is a commercial service managed by SpaceX, while Starshield systems are under the control of the US government.

Initial reports of restrictions on the operation of Starshield, which provides communications for Ukrainian drones, appeared on the night of October 14. Former adviser to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Serhiy Sternenko, reported that communications were cut off when terminals moved at speeds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour. Later, he stated that the restrictions had been tightened, saying that communications were now being disconnected even at speeds of 60–70 kilometers per hour. The outages made it difficult to pilot drones, supply frontline units, and strike targets behind the front lines.

According to The Economist, Musk ordered the restriction of Starlink's operation in Ukraine to punish Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil refineries. One of the publication's sources stated that the head of SpaceX contacted the White House only after imposing the restrictions. The Wall Street Journal also previously reported that Musk personally ordered the restriction of Starlink's operation in Ukraine...