Will Trump really pull the plug? Starlink restored but Ukraine's fate still uncertain

Nearly 48 hours after Ukraine's Starshield terminals began experiencing malfunctions, no one in Washington or at SpaceX has admitted responsibility for the decision to limit Ukrainian military communications. Starshield terminals, the militarized version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet system, started losing connectivity as they reached a certain speed, disrupting Ukrainian drone units and active military operations.

The restrictions came as Ukraine faced pressure from the Trump administration to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, which Kyiv views as crucial for its defense against Russia's invasion. Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko, a former adviser to former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, was among the first to raise concerns about the restrictions on October 14, stating that critical missions were disrupted.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk later blamed the Pentagon and the Trump administration for the slowdown, claiming that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. military. The White House denied any involvement and promised to investigate the issue with SpaceX. The Pentagon has not publicly explained the restrictions. While Starshield was operating more reliably in Ukraine the following day, the 160 km/h speed cap remained, limiting its effectiveness in defending against Russian missiles and drones.