Ukraine Starlink Access Restricted as Musk Says Zelensky 'Has Gone Too Far'
Ukrainian officials have claimed restricted access disrupted missions against Russia.
Ukraine lost its access to Elon Musk's Starlink internet service, without prior notice, on Tuesday evening, disrupting crucial battlefield operations against Russian forces, according to Ukrainian officials. SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, imposed a speed limit on its terminals in Ukraine, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's presidential office, who posted about it on Telegram.
The country relies heavily on Starlink and the satellites orbiting the Earth to keep communications going and to control its large drone fleets. Ukrainian officials claimed the speed cap was imposed late on Tuesday and had already affected missions against Moscow. Attempts were made to reach SpaceX and the White House for comment, but so far, no response has been received.
The move comes amid U.S. pressure on Ukraine to cease its intense drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have driven up global diesel prices and weakened Russia's export-dependent economy. President Trump reportedly told Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, to stop striking Russian oil refineries as Republicans prepare for the midterm elections, however, prices at the gas pump for many U.S. consumers remain high.
On Saturday, Musk tweeted that Zelensky had "gone too far," prompting Beskrestnov to say that the military-grade version of Starlink was impacted at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Ukrainian activist and former advisor on drone technology to the defense ministry, Serhii Sternenko, said connectivity began to drop when drones moved at more than 100 miles per hour, and numerous critical missions were reportedly affected.
Beskrestnov stated that the change could not be a coincidence and was linked to the current political situation, adding that SpaceX likely took these measures at the request of the Trump administration. Musk has previously stated that Starlink would not be used as a "bargaining chip" in the conflict, even if he disagreed with Ukrainian policy. This story is ongoing and will be updated.
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