Elon Musk has suggested that Ukraine may have violated Starlink’s terms of service by using the satellite network on combat drones. Ukrainian volunteer and defense figure Serhii Sternenko disputes that claim, saying technical restrictions introduced in February make it impossible to use civilian Starlink terminals for drone missions. According to Sternenko, such missions require access to Starshield, the military satellite communications system controlled by the US government.
Musk says Starshield restrictions are ultimately controlled by the president
“Elon Musk claims that Ukraine is suspected of violating Starlink’s terms of service and using the system on combat drones. As someone who was involved in the Department of Defense process, I can say with confidence that this is not true,” Sternenko wrote.
“In February of this year, a whitelist was introduced. Fixed terminals could be registered by both military and civilian personnel. However, in order for satellite terminals to work while on the move, they had to be added to a special list and connected to the military Starshield system. Otherwise, Ukrainian satellite communication terminals will not work. In other words, it is technically impossible to use civilian Starlink for drone missions. All drone missions that require satellite communications can only be carried out by using Starshield.”
Musk initially responded to the controversy by saying that, unlike Starlink’s commercial service, Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. “Speed and usage limits are determined by the US military and ultimately by the President,” he wrote.
“Starlink is limited to civilian or defense operations and cannot be used for offensive military operations,” Musk added. He did not initially accuse Ukraine of violating that restriction.
President Trump denies having made a decision to limit Ukraine’s satellite connectivity. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump called Musk and asked him to lift the restriction.
SpaceX acknowledged in 2023 that it had blocked Ukraine from using Starlink on military drones, saying its contract with the country did not permit offensive use. In May 2026, Musk said that a US military suicide drone installed by a contractor had mistakenly used Starlink instead of Starshield.
“Starlink remains critical to Ukraine’s defense because, at least for now, it is the only system that cannot be jammed or detonated. If Starlink were to be shut down, the Ukrainian front would collapse immediately. This is not a threat, just a statement of fact.”
Source: arstechnica.com
