SpaceX curbed Ukraine's use of Starlink internet for drones -company president

FILE PHOTO: “Psycho”, 22 from the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade disconnects their Starlink on the front line at Orthodox Christmas, during a ceasefire announced by Russia over the Orthodox Christmas period, from the frontline region of Kreminna, Ukraine, January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - SpaceX has taken steps to prevent Ukraine's military from using the company's Starlink satellite internet service for controlling drones in the region during the country's war with Russia, SpaceX's president said Wednesday.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, which has provided Ukraine's military with broadband communications in its defense against Russia's military, was "never never meant to be weaponized," Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and chief operating officer, said during a conference in Washington, D.C.