Starlink service stabilizes in Ukraine

After nearly 10 days of disruptions with an unknown cause, Ukraine announced at the end of the week that Starlink service is now stable, with speeds that can exceed 400 km/h. This marks an improvement in the situation, though challenges remain.

Elon Musk criticizes Ukraine’s use of Starlink

Elon Musk has reignited the debate by criticizing the way Ukraine is using Starlink, stating that the service is a strictly defensive system that Kyiv may not have respected. He accused Ukraine of not adhering to the terms of use for the satellite internet network.

Starlink’s terms of use clarified

Musk emphasized that Starlink’s terms of use have not changed: it is a civilian system, not a weapon. He warned that any violation of these conditions could lead to the termination of the service, though he denied making a direct threat.

Distinction between Starlink and Starshield

Musk explicitly distinguished Starlink from Starshield, the military version of the service controlled by the U.S. government. He cited a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, dated October 16, in which Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian army uses Starlink for medium-range strikes against military targets.

Musk’s non-threat about Starlink’s impact

In another message, Musk stated that if Starlink were to be disabled, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately. He called this observation, not a threat, while on the same day he called for Zelensky’s resignation and an end to the fighting.