Starlink Speed Cap at 90 km/h Contradicts Musk's Drone Claim

Elon Musk stated on Saturday that Ukraine violated the terms of service for Starlink by employing the commercial satellite network for offensive drone strikes intended to kill people. The accusation followed SpaceX's implementation of a restriction that blocked Ukraine from using the technology on drones traveling above specific speed thresholds.

Musk argued that the system was designed for civilian use and that the military should have relied on Starshield, a separate system managed by the United States government. He claimed that the loophole allowing Ukraine to use Starlink for lethal operations was closed the previous week.

Serhii Beskrestnov, a defense technology advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rejected the claim on Sunday. In a Telegram post, Beskrestnov asserted that the allegation was physically impossible because all Starlink terminals in Ukrainian territory, including Russian-occupied areas, already faced a movement speed limit of 70 to 90 kilometers per hour. He also noted that the service does not function over Russian territory.

One current and one former Ukrainian official supported Beskrestnov's position. They stated that prior limits imposed by SpaceX had already prevented the military from using the system in the manner Musk described. These officials suggested that Musk was actually referring to Starshield, a military variant accessible to Ukraine through a deal with the US government.

President Zelenskyy announced over the weekend that the new satellite restrictions have been lifted. This move potentially concludes a controversy that began nearly two weeks ago regarding the technical usage of the satellite links.