The row over Ukraine's Starlink service shows how much modern warfare now depends on bandwidth. According to the BBC, US President Donald Trump said Elon Musk has restored Ukraine's Starlink internet access after restrictions hampered Kyiv's armed forces.
Trump declined to address a report that he had called Musk to ask him to lift the restrictions, but when asked about it he said: "Bottom line, he put it back." The BBC noted that the Wall Street Journal had reported such a call, a report the BBC said it had not confirmed.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said speeds on the military-grade Starshield network had not been fully restored and had yet to return to 400km/h, adding that he was waiting to hear back from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to the BBC, a cap of around 160km/h had left Ukraine's offensive drones and interceptors powerless against Russian attacks.
Ukraine uses both the civilian Starlink service and the more secure Starshield, depending on its communication needs. The networks rely on about 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide connectivity in remote areas and on front lines, and high-speed links are essential for operating drones.
Musk has denied being behind the slowdown and said the US government ultimately controls access to Starshield. The White House has repeatedly said it did not order any restriction. The BBC said the limits came as Trump pressed Kyiv to stop striking Russian oil refineries.