US President Donald Trump has said Elon Musk has restored Ukraine’s access to Starlink satellite internet services following restrictions that reportedly disrupted aspects of the country’s military communications and drone operations.
Trump’s comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that connectivity on the military-grade Starshield network, which is associated with Musk’s satellite communications company SpaceX, had not been fully restored.
When asked about reports that he had contacted Musk to request the removal of the restrictions, Trump declined to provide details about the alleged conversation but said: “Bottom line, he put it back.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had called Musk and asked him to lift the restrictions affecting Ukraine’s use of Starlink. According to the newspaper, the US president was concerned that the system’s operating speeds remained capped at approximately 160 kilometres per hour.
The report suggested that the restrictions affected Ukraine’s ability to use certain offensive drones and interceptor systems effectively against Russian forces.
More Read
However, the BBC said it had not independently confirmed the Wall Street Journal report and had contacted the White House and SpaceX for clarification.
Zelensky Says Full Connectivity Has Yet to Be Restored
Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky said the performance of the communications system used by Ukraine’s military had not yet returned to the required level.
Speaking at a press conference, the Ukrainian president said the speed had not been restored to 400 kilometres per hour, adding that Ukrainian officials were continuing to work on the issue.
More Read
Zelensky also said he was waiting for a response from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had reportedly promised to provide further information within approximately 48 hours.
His comments highlighted continuing uncertainty surrounding the status of Ukraine’s military satellite connectivity, despite Trump’s assertion that access had been restored.
Starlink and Starshield Play Critical Roles in Ukraine’s War
Starlink and Starshield are satellite communications services operated by SpaceX, the company founded by Musk. They provide connectivity in areas where conventional telecommunications infrastructure may be unavailable, damaged or unreliable.
Ukraine relies on satellite communications for a range of military and civilian purposes, including communications in remote areas and on the battlefield.
The country uses the civilian Starlink service alongside the more specialised Starshield network, which is designed for government and national security applications.
The ability to maintain reliable connectivity is particularly important for modern warfare, where military units increasingly depend on high-speed communications to coordinate operations and operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
More Read
Any disruption to these services could complicate communications, reduce operational flexibility and affect the effectiveness of certain drone missions.
Starlink’s satellite constellation operates in low Earth orbit and provides internet connectivity across extensive geographical areas. Its role in Ukraine has made the technology an important element of the country’s communications infrastructure during the conflict with Russia.
Dispute Over Responsibility for the Restrictions
The reported connectivity problems have raised questions about who controls access to the military-grade network and who was responsible for the restrictions.
Musk previously denied being personally responsible for the slowdown. He also stated that the US government ultimately controls access to Starshield, describing the military-oriented system as a service designed for the Pentagon.
The White House has repeatedly denied that the Trump administration ordered restrictions on Ukraine’s access.
The competing statements have left important questions unanswered about the precise cause of the disruption, the extent of the restrictions and the arrangements governing Ukraine’s use of the satellite network.
Starlink Dispute Amid Wider US Pressure on Ukraine
The controversy emerged amid broader diplomatic tensions over Washington’s relationship with Kyiv and its approach to the war with Russia.
The reported connectivity restrictions coincided with pressure from Trump on Zelensky to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump has argued that such attacks have contributed to rising energy prices.
The administration’s reported moves concerning sanctions on Russia and arrangements involving Russian diesel imports have also drawn criticism from Ukraine and its European allies.
These developments have added another dimension to the debate over US support for Ukraine and the strategic importance of American technology in the country’s defence efforts.
Reliable access to satellite communications has become a significant issue because Ukraine depends on a combination of domestic infrastructure, international assistance and privately operated technology to sustain its military operations.
Questions Remain Over the Full Restoration of Service
Although Trump has said Musk restored Ukraine’s Starlink access, Zelensky’s remarks suggest that the performance of the military communications system had not yet fully returned to the level Ukraine required at the time of his statement.
The reported conversation between Trump and Musk, the precise nature of the restrictions and the status of the affected systems remain subject to further clarification.
The episode underscores the growing importance of commercial satellite technology in modern conflicts and the influence that access to privately operated communications infrastructure can have on military operations.
For Ukraine, the immediate concern remains maintaining reliable battlefield communications as its war with Russia continues. For Washington and its European allies, the dispute raises wider questions about the reliability, governance and strategic implications of technology that has become essential to Ukraine’s defence.
