Starlink in Ukraine: Musk suggests US govt behind any slowdown

Ukrainian officials have accused SpaceX of throttling Starlink satellite services, which they say has disrupted frontline logistics, long-distance missions, and the ability to launch drones. An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that limits on terminals traveling over 100mph overnight effectively deprived Ukraine of chances to defend itself from Shahed drones.

Euromaidan Press reports that Ukrainian officials suspect SpaceX imposed these restrictions to pressure Kyiv to accept demands from US President Donald Trump to stop striking Russian oil refineries, though this motive is unconfirmed.

Elon Musk has stated that Starlink is a commercial service limited to civilian or defensive use, while Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Musk noted that any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. Free Malaysia Today reports that Musk claimed any disruption was the responsibility of the US government.

Euromaidan Press reports that Ukrainian officials contacted the White House, CIA, and Pentagon regarding restrictions affecting both Starlink and Starshield. A senior US official told Axios that the Trump administration had nothing to do with the restrictions. The Hill reports that Ukraine's loss of access to the military version of Starlink is causing tension between President Trump and Senate Republicans.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Euromaidan Press, Free Malaysia Today, The Hill, The Chronicle Ghana — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.