SpaceX ends Starshield throttling over Ukraine following intervention by Donald Trump

SpaceX has lifted restrictions on Ukraine's military access to Starshield, the defense-focused version of its Starlink satellite network. Ukrainian Defense Minister Evgeniy Khmara stated that the system appears to be functioning normally again while ongoing verification tests continue. The move followed a direct request from President Donald Trump, who reportedly urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to restore normal connectivity. [1]

The resolution ends a 10-day period during which Ukrainian drones lost internet access when exceeding speeds of roughly 100 miles per hour. That throttling caused Ukrainian forces to lose direct control of several aircraft and left others exposed to attack at lower velocities. Musk had previously defended the limits on X, alleging that Ukraine breached terms of service by deploying the terminals for offensive lethal drone operations. [1]

The outage highlighted Ukraine's deep reliance on Starlink's sprawling orbital network for frontline communications and drone guidance. While Ukrainian defense technologists acknowledge that Musk's network offers unrivaled ease of use, cost, and satellite coverage, recurring politically driven interruptions have forced Ukraine and European partners to evaluate military alternatives. [1][2]