Musk accuses Ukraine of using Starlink in drone attacks; Kyiv denies

On October 24, 2026, Elon Musk accused Ukraine of using commercial Starlink service in offensive drone attacks, a claim Ukrainian officials denied. Ukrainian officials, including defense technology advisor Serhii Beskrestnov, rejected the accusation, stating Starlink's speed restrictions prevented its use in medium or long-range attacks. Former defense ministry advisor Serhii Sternenko said drone missions used Starshield, a separate system under U.S. government control, since February 2026. President Zelensky said Starlink and Starshield had recovered pre-restriction speeds. The dispute follows earlier connectivity interruptions affecting Ukrainian military operations, with experts noting speed limits hindered drone detection and raising concerns about reliance on private providers for critical infrastructure.