Elon Musk says the US military controls Starshield usage limits after Starlink restrictions disrupted Ukrainian drone operations amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
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Elon Musk said the US government oversees restrictions on SpaceX’s military-grade Starshield service after Starlink speed limits affecting Ukrainian drones disrupted some Ukrainian military operations.
As reported by the BBC, a speed limit of 100 mph (160 km/h) was set, causing weapons travelling faster than that to lose network connectivity. This issue has once again raised questions about US control of satellite internet for Ukraine’s defence, especially as Kyiv continues to depend on it amid ongoing Russian attacks.
According to Musk’s post on X, Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. The US military also decides its operating limits. Musk said Starlink should support civilians and defensive activities, not offensive military operations.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defence minister, said on Wednesday that some connectivity had been restored. He thanked Musk and requested that he remove all speed restrictions on Starshield.
The move took place amid tensions between the two countries. Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested that the timing was not coincidental. However, no confirmed evidence showed that the restrictions were intended to pressure Ukraine.
This incident demonstrates how speed restrictions affecting Ukrainian drones through Starlink could disrupt military operations. It also raises questions about US control over satellite internet services that Ukraine relies on for its defence against Russia. Business Honor observes that Ukraine’s dependence on satellite networks highlights the growing influence of technology providers and governments on modern warfare.
FAQs
Why were Ukrainian drone operations disrupted?
Ukrainian drone operations were disrupted after Starlink reportedly imposed a speed limit of 100 mph (160 km/h), causing weapons travelling faster than that to lose network connectivity.
Who controls SpaceX’s Starshield service?
Elon Musk has said that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, with the US military deciding its operating limits.
What did Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov request?
Mykhailo Fedorov thanked Musk for restoring some connectivity and requested the removal of all speed restrictions on Starshield.
Why does Ukraine depend on Starlink for its defence?
Ukraine relies on satellite connectivity to support military communications and drone operations amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Did the US government impose the restrictions to pressure Ukraine?
There is no confirmed evidence that the restrictions were intended to pressure Ukraine. However, the timing raised concerns among some Ukrainian officials.
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