Elon Musk has decided to cut off Starlink satellite internet services for Russian users after a drone incident in Kyiv at the end of January. The drone, identified as a BM-35, crashed into a building near the Ukrainian government quarter, causing minor damage but no casualties.
This incident prompted Ukrainian officials to reach out to Musk for assistance. It is believed that this request initiated a process leading to the restriction of Russian access to Starlink technology.
While the reasons behind Musk’s decision remain unclear, he did not respond to requests for comment. However, it is known that following Ukraine’s appeal to SpaceX to limit Russian access, the company instructed its employees to maximize the use of the system in support of Ukraine.
According to journalist Simon Shuster, SpaceX received a clear directive to utilize Starlink “without restrictions” in any way that could aid Ukraine. Although the internal motivations for the decision are not fully understood, sources within the company describe it as a political move by Musk.
The support for Ukraine is seen as atypical for Musk, who has been associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump in advocating for a swift end to the conflict. Nevertheless, the decision has been positively received in Kyiv.
Starlink services for Russian users were disabled following a series of drone attacks attributed to Russia. Reports indicated that Russian forces were increasingly using Starlink for real-time control of drones, which included bypassing Ukrainian air defense systems and electronic warfare measures.
In response, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the Ministry of Defense had promptly contacted SpaceX to address the issue. Ukraine also implemented a “whitelist” system for its own terminals to ensure secure operations.
As of February 5, 2026, all terminals utilized by Russian forces have been disabled, leaving them without reliable satellite internet access. This has resulted in difficulties for Russian units in coordinating operations, logistics, and deploying both ground and aerial drones. Meanwhile, Russia has sought alternatives to Starlink, but these efforts have reportedly fallen short.
Elon Musk has disconnected Starlink services for Russian users after a drone incident in Kyiv prompted Ukrainian officials to request assistance. The decision has led to significant operational challenges for Russian forces.