Elon Musk has stated that any restrictions on the speed or use of StarShield satellite systems belong to the US armed forces and ultimately to President Donald Trump, according to a statement from the SpaceX chief on Wednesday. The clarification came amid reports that Ukrainian forces experienced sudden connectivity problems with their military satellite terminals.
According to Bankier.pl, Musk issued the statement in response to a post by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defence minister. Fedorov wrote that Starlink connectivity had been restored for objects moving at speeds up to 160 km/h, but added that lifting the speed limit entirely on the StarShield system was “currently crucial for Ukraine’s defence”.
Musk emphasised that StarShield systems are owned by the US government and remain under its control. “Decisions regarding any speed or usage restrictions belong to the US armed forces, and ultimately to the President of the United States,” he wrote on his X platform.
Military and commercial systems kept separate
The SpaceX owner drew a clear distinction between StarShield and the commercial Starlink service. He noted that Starlink is a commercial offering owned by SpaceX and remains under the company’s control. Its use is restricted to civilian purposes or defensive operations, and it cannot be deployed for offensive military action, Musk stressed.
Serhiy Sternenko, a former adviser to Ukraine’s defence ministry, reported overnight on Tuesday that satellite internet terminals had been limited in their functionality. He said connections to the terminals dropped out when moving faster than 160 km/h.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed the reports, specifying that they applied to the military package of Starlink services, known as StarShield. “Our defence forces received no warning about such a restriction, which led to the failure of many missions,” Beskrestnov said. He pointed out that Starlink terminals are used in intercepting jet-propelled drones and described this as “the most effective solution currently available” in combating that type of weaponry.
Restrictions remain in place
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence told the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne on Wednesday evening that the 160 km/h speed restriction on terminals remained in force.
The reports of limited Starlink functionality emerged after Trump announced on 9 October that he had reached an agreement with Vladimir Putin on the return of Russian diesel fuel to world markets.
In late July, media outlets reported that Zelensky had asked Trump during a meeting in Washington to persuade Musk to allow Ukraine to use Starlink terminals for strikes on targets inside Russia. Those discussions did not produce a positive outcome.
What this means for Poles in Poland
The dispute over satellite connectivity in Ukraine highlights the growing role of private technology companies in modern conflicts and the ultimate authority of national governments over military systems. For Poles following the war in Ukraine—particularly those with family or business ties across the border—the episode underscores how quickly battlefield conditions can shift based on decisions made in Washington.
Poland, as Ukraine’s neighbour and a major transit hub for Western military aid, remains directly affected by the course of the war. Any weakening of Ukrainian defences, including through restricted access to satellite communications, could have security implications for the entire region. Polish citizens should stay informed through official government channels and credible news outlets as the situation develops.
