Musk says Starlink must not be used for offensive drone strikes as Ukraine reports restored connection speeds after days of poor service

Elon Musk defended recent restrictions on Starlink, saying its use for offensive drone strikes had never been permitted and should not be allowed. He also argued that Ukraine’s military had violated the service’s terms of use.

Musk, SpaceX’s chair, said the company had closed a loophole the previous week. He distinguished Starlink, which SpaceX operates, from Starshield, a military-grade system controlled by the U.S. government.

Musk said Starlink remained critical to Ukraine’s defense and that the front line would collapse immediately if the service were switched off. He described that assessment as factual, not a threat. Shortly afterward, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he had spoken with Musk about the situation in Ukraine but declined to provide details.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara reported that earlier connection speeds had been restored after high-level contacts, following days of below-par performance. He said speeds exceeding 400 km/h were being recorded with a stable connection and stressed the importance of reliable communications for troops, drone operations and military logistics.

Musk said SpaceX had done more than any other private company to defend Ukraine. He also condemned those advocating continued fighting without offering realistic solutions.