Elon Musk has accused Ukraine’s military of violating Starlink’s terms of service by using the satellite internet system for offensive drone strikes. The SpaceX chief executive made the allegation on Saturday, October 24, 2026, amid tensions over restrictions that recently disrupted Ukraine’s military communications.
In a post on X, Musk claimed Ukrainian forces used Starlink to support attacks intended to kill people, adding that the company had closed the loophole last week. He maintained that Starlink, a civilian commercial service, was never intended to support offensive military operations.
The accusation followed more than a week of connectivity restrictions affecting Ukraine’s use of Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield. Ukrainian officials said the limitations disrupted operations, hampered efforts to intercept Russian drones and forced the cancellation of some missions.
However, Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said the country could not physically use Starlink for long-range and medium-range attack drone operations. Ukraine’s military and defence ministry had not immediately responded publicly to Musk’s latest allegation.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Starlink and Starshield had returned to their required operating speeds. The restoration followed concerns about the systems’ importance to frontline communications, military logistics and Ukraine’s defence against Russian attacks.
The dispute has intensified questions about Ukraine’s dependence on privately operated satellite technology during wartime. Musk has defended SpaceX’s contribution to Ukraine’s defence while distinguishing Starlink’s commercial service from Starshield, which the United States government controls.
Despite the restored connections, the latest accusations add another complication to relations between Ukraine, SpaceX and Washington as the war against Russia continues.
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