Trump: Elon Musk's Starshield System 'Back' in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Elon Musk's Starshield military communications system, the military-grade version of Starlink operated by SpaceX, is "back" in Ukraine. This statement follows a report by the Wall Street Journal suggesting that the US president had asked tech billionaire Elon Musk to restore the service, which is vital for Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.

Trump declined to comment on who specifically called for the capping of Starshield in Ukraine, stating, "I guess the bottom line, he put it back," referring to Musk.

Highlights

• US President Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk's Starshield military communications system is back in operation in Ukraine.
• This announcement follows a Wall Street Journal report claiming Trump had asked Musk to restore the service.
• Previously, Starshield's speeds in Ukraine were allegedly capped, rendering some offensive drones ineffective.
• Musk had stated that any limits to Starshield's speed or usage were decided by the US military and ultimately the President.
• Ukraine has not received a clear official explanation regarding who ordered the restrictions or why.

Details

Starshield is the military-grade version of SpaceX's civilian satellite-based communication network, Starlink. The Wall Street Journal had reported that Musk capped the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could connect to the satellite network, making some offensive and interceptor drones virtually useless. The report, citing unnamed sources, claimed Musk and Trump discussed the Starlink decision in a call soon after the slowdown became public.

In response to that report, Musk had stated that "any limits to speed or usage" of Starshield were "decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS." However, both Trump and then-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Pentagon had not directed any changes. According to a senior European official familiar with the matter, Ukraine has not received a clear official explanation of who ordered the restrictions or why.

Why it matters

Starshield's role as a critical military communication tool for Ukraine highlights the immense importance of its functionality and control for the course of the war. The system's return to full operational capacity could be seen as a positive development for Ukraine's defense capabilities, while the lingering uncertainties behind the previous restrictions could exacerbate diplomatic tensions.