Elon Musk says the Ukrainian military forces "violated" the terms of service of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite services, misusing the civilian satellite internet network to operate drones that killed people.

“Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be,” the SpaceX CEO wrote on X on Saturday. “Ukraine military violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people."

Musk said the Ukrainian forces' violation was due to a "loophole" in the system that allowed the Ukrainian military to use the civilian satellite for offensive drone strikes. He said that “loophole” has since been resolved.

"Were Starlink to be turned off, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately. This is NOT a threat; it is simply a statement of fact."

"I have nothing but UTTER CONTEMPT for the virtue-signaling evil warmongers who push for endless slaughter. May you burn in hell," Musk wrote.

Musk distinguished between the commercial Starlink network and Starshield, a separate military-grade system controlled by the US government. “What they decide to do is up to them,” he said.

Trump: Ukraine should elect new president as Zelensky opposes peace with Russia

Trump calls for Ukraine to elect “a new president,” rebuking Zelensky for repeatedly refusing peace opportunities.

Analysts view Musk's strong rebuke in the context of the growing tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump, under heavy pressure from surging energy prices and the rising cost of living, a crisis exacerbated each day by disruptions to energy markets as the November 3 midterm elections approach, said earlier this month he had reached a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to buy diesel from the country.

Trump struck the deal with Putin after Zelensky had repeatedly ignored the US president's requests to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries.

“We said, you can do whatever you want to Russia, don’t hit the refineries, because that’s a world problem that’s caused,” the US president said earlier this month, describing the Ukrainian leader as a troublemaker. Zelensky wants to “make problems for the world.”

Trump also said that the Ukrainians should replace Zelensky with a new leader who was willing to offer a realistic solution to the conflict and would not obstruct Washington’s so-called mediation efforts to end the war.