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Donald Trump says Elon Musk restored Starshield satellite service for Ukraine
Reported by Kunal Bhatia (Senior Writer) · The Hindu - International ·
Confirmed by a second source: BBC News - World
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsStarshield Restored
Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the Starshield military communications system is working again in Ukraine. The announcement followed a report from the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. President asked tech billionaire Elon Musk to restore the service, which is vital to Kyiv's forces. Mr. Trump declined to say whether he or someone else contacted Mr. Musk about the issue. He told journalists that the bottom line is that Mr. Musk put the service back.
Limits and Reactions
The Journal reported earlier in the week that Mr. Musk capped the speed at which Ukrainian equipment could connect to the system. This speed limit made some of Kyiv's drones useless and affected mid-range strikes on Russia-occupied territory and interceptor drones. Mr. Musk previously stated that any limits on speed or usage were decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the President. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the Pentagon had not directed any changes to Starshield, and Mr. Trump said last week he did not do so either. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier on Thursday that connectivity had yet to be fully restored. He stated that the speed had not returned to 400 km/h yet, adding that they were working on it and waiting to hear from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio within 48 hours.
Context
Ukraine relies heavily on both civilian Starlink and military-grade Starshield satellite networks operated by SpaceX for battlefield communications. Relations between Washington and Kyiv have grown tense as the Trump administration presses Ukraine over attacks on Russian oil refineries and moves to import Russian diesel.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Elon Musk's SpaceX has restored full access to the Starshield satellite communications network in Ukraine. This came after reports that connection speeds had been capped, rendering Ukrainian drones and defense systems less effective.
Why It Matters
Satellite internet access is the backbone of modern Ukrainian military operations, controlling everything from frontline battlefield communications to long-range drone strikes against Russian targets. When tech billionaires and state actors clash over the control or speed of vital communication infrastructure, it directly impacts a nation's military capability on the ground.
What Happens Next
Diplomatic talks between Washington and Kyiv are expected to continue as Ukrainian officials seek permanent guarantees for battlefield connectivity. Observers will also watch how the U.S. administration balances its foreign policy goals with private tech companies controlling critical dual-use infrastructure.
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