SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications network and its military-grade Starshield service have reportedly been throttled in Ukraine, limiting the country's ability to coordinate defence and intercept drone attacks. The restrictions come as Russia intensifies its bombardment of Ukrainian cities ahead of winter.
The Telegraph reported on Friday, citing four sources familiar with the discussions, that Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine, and that Trump agreed. The report suggests Musk became alarmed about a potential adverse consumer reaction in Europe after a barrage of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv was met with diminished air defence capabilities.
Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink and Starshield for communications, logistics, live drone feeds, radar, targeting, and intercepting Russian drones. The implications for its battlefield effectiveness are significant.
Neither leader appears willing to take ownership of the decision. On X, Musk responded to a public plea from Ukraine's former defence minister by asserting that limits on Starshield speed and usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. “He tweeted out that he was innocent and that it was the US administration that did it,” an unnamed source told The Telegraph. “The reality is that they were both in it.”
President Trump told reporters on Friday that “it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon.”
On Sunday, speaking to NBC's Meet the Press, President Zelenskyy offered a direct account. He stated that it is the opinion of Ukraine's generals, government, and himself that the American government decided to limit the speed and that SpaceX carried it out. He noted the service had not been restored to normal speed. “Just give us back Starlink,” Zelenskyy said. “And of course, if they will not, we will survive and we will not stop to defend [Ukraine] even without it. But why? I can't understand. For what? What are the reasons to limit us?”