Starlink restores Ukraine connection after Musk admits to throttling

Elon Musk confirms SpaceX throttled service over drone strikes

Elon Musk admitted that SpaceX throttled Starlink service in Ukraine because of drone strikes. Musk stated on Saturday that the Ukrainian military violated the company's terms of service by using the network for offensive drone strikes to kill people.

Musk also maintained that Starshield is a separate system under the control of the United States government.

Trump administration denies ordering Starlink slowdown

The Trump administration denied ordering any slowdown of Starlink or Starshield networks, attributing the service changes to SpaceX. Donald Trump told reporters on Oct 16 that he did not order the restrictions, stating, "I didn't do that.

On Oct 22, Trump stated that Musk had restored Ukraine's access, though he declined to confirm if the two had spoken. The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct 23 that Trump called Musk to request the removal of the network restrictions.

Ukrainian military reports impact on operations

Ukraine stated that speed limits on Starshield and Starlink-supported networks hindered the military’s offensive and defensive capabilities in Russia-controlled Ukrainian territory, endangering Ukrainians. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the early warning system resumed operations following discussions with U.S. officials.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara said, "This is another example of how direct dialogue and the firm position of the President of Ukraine at the highest level can deliver results".

Escalating conflict and ongoing hostilities

Ukrainian authorities reported they struck a missile component manufacturer, a chemical plant, and an aircraft at a military airfield inside Russia in the past 24 hours. On Friday, Ukraine reported that Russia carried out 88 air strikes using 309 glide bombs and 10,270 kamikaze drones.

Russia’s ministry of defence reported on Telegram that its air defences shot down 616 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones, including in Russian-annexed Crimea. Sergey Aksyonov said restrictions on electricity and water were implemented due to power cuts caused by drone strikes.

Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian attack on an apartment building in Zaporizhzhia killed 20 people, including three children, within the last two weeks.

Bipartisan calls for Pentagon investigation

The restrictions occurred during a diplomatic row between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, though Trump denied threatening to withdraw intelligence sharing. The Guardian reported on October 23, 2026, on the blame exchanged between Trump, Elon Musk, and Zelenskyy regarding the Ukraine-Starlink row.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators requested that the independent inspector general at the Pentagon launch an official probe into the Starlink disruptions.

Chronology of reported network restrictions

21, 2026, DW.com reported that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of Starlink in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported exclusively that same day that the order blindsided Ukrainian officials.

23, 2026, that SpaceX continued to restrict the network and the toll of these limitations was increasing.

NPR reported that Ukraine stated Starlink service returned to normal following the disruptions. NBC News also reported that day that Ukraine confirmed the return to normal operations after limits had previously hobbled its drones.

24, 2026, that Musk stated Ukraine violated Starlink’s rules. CBS News reported on the same day that Ukraine said speeds were restored as Musk admitted SpaceX throttled service over drone strikes.

Background on Starlink and SpaceX infrastructure

Starlink Services, LLC is a telecommunications subsidiary of SpaceX that provides broadband internet service in approximately 160 countries and territories.

SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites in 2019. The service also provides in-flight internet access for numerous airlines.