Elon Musk Says US Controls Starshield as Ukraine Seeks Removal of Starlink Drone Speed Limits

Elon Musk has claimed the US government controls Starshield and decides any restrictions on its use, as Ukraine calls for the removal of speed limits affecting satellite-connected military drones. The issue emerged after Ukrainian officials reported restrictions affecting terminals travelling faster than about 100 mph, or 160 km/h, disrupting drone missions and battlefield communications.

Musk wrote on X that 'Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government.' He added that 'any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.' The White House has not publicly confirmed Musk's account, while the Pentagon had not immediately commented on the claim.

Ukraine Says Some Service Has Been Restored

Ukrainian officials said connectivity for terminals travelling at speeds of up to 160 km/h had begun to recover, but warned that the remaining limit still posed serious problems for military operations. Mykhailo Fedorov, who served as Ukraine's Defence Minister until July 2026, said restoring connectivity at those speeds was a positive step but argued that removing the Starshield speed limit entirely remained 'critical for Ukraine's defence.'

Ukraine's Defence Ministry similarly said connection quality had improved at speeds of up to about 160 km/h, although the speed cap itself remained in place. The restrictions are particularly significant for Ukrainian attack and interceptor drones, some of which normally travel faster than the imposed threshold.

Reuters reported that the restrictions made some drones difficult to control and forced the cancellation of some missions.

Drone Operations Disrupted

Starlink has become a critical communications tool for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, supporting battlefield coordination, drone operations and secure communications in areas where terrestrial networks have been damaged or jammed.

The military-focused Starshield service is distinct from commercial Starlink, although the two rely on related satellite infrastructure. Starshield was developed for US government and intelligence customers and offers enhanced security and dedicated military capabilities. Reuters reports that the Pentagon is its primary customer.

Ukrainian defence technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said the restrictions had affected terminals used on fast-moving drones and warned that the limitations were undermining Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attack drones.

He said the restriction applied to the Starshield military package and capped operation at roughly 100 mph. Some frontline personnel also reported losing connectivity during military operations, affecting both air defence and long-range missions.

Zelensky Warns Restrictions Could Cost Lives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the restrictions, describing them as a serious mistake. Asked about the Starlink limitations, Zelenskyy warned that they could lead to significant human losses as Ukraine continues to face Russian missile and drone attacks.

The dispute comes amid wider tensions between Kyiv and Washington over military support, intelligence sharing and Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The Washington Post reported that US officials had warned Ukraine against further strikes on Russian refineries and threatened restrictions on intelligence sharing, although intelligence had not been fully cut off.

Musk has sought to draw a distinction between the two satellite services, saying commercial Starlink is intended for civilian or defensive uses while Starshield is a US government-controlled military system. His claim that the US government determines Starshield speed and usage restrictions has not been independently confirmed by the White House or Pentagon.

For Ukraine, the immediate concern remains operational: restoring full-speed satellite connectivity for drones that have become central to both battlefield strikes and defence against incoming Russian attacks.