The rift between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over last week’s diesel deal deepened Wednesday after a satellite system owned by Elon Musk and used by Ukraine unexpectedly restricted service, undermining Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Why it’s important: The Ukrainian military uses SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications system to control and operate its reconnaissance and interception drones. When not operating at full capacity, Ukraine’s ability to gather intelligence, use interceptor drones, and carry out long-range strikes against Russia is hampered.
- Service was partially restored on Wednesday, but Ukrainian authorities were still seeking answers about why service was limited and who was responsible.
- The limitations came days after a new crisis erupted between the United States and Ukraine following Trump’s agreement to lift sanctions on Russian oil sales. Zelensky criticized the move, then Trump called on Ukraine to elect a new president.
- A senior US official said the Trump administration had nothing to do with alleged constraints on the Starlink service. But Ukrainian officials remain wary.
Driving the news: Ukrainian officials said SpaceX imposed the restrictions Tuesday evening.
- The system turned off, they said, when a drone exceeded 100 mph. In some cases, it disconnected when speed exceeded 80 km/h.
- The Starlink restrictions came several hours after Ukraine’s military failed to receive early warning of a Russian ballistic missile attack.
- Ukrainian officials said the United States has provided such alerts in recent years as part of intelligence sharing between the countries.
- U.S. officials have pointed to a technical malfunction in the system, but Ukrainian officials suspect it is a warning shot from the Trump administration.
- “We had massive (Russian) attacks today and it’s a shame that we also had difficulties (…) regarding Starlink and intelligence and a lot of different surprises,” Zelensky said after a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. “We are counting on the partnership with the United States, but we just want to be very honest and very clear and be a strong partner.”
The last one: Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said SpaceX continues to limit Starlink to 160 km/h – significantly higher than the previous speed, but still well below its normal speeds.
- The ministry said it remains in communication “with partners and SpaceX regarding stable service conditions and prevention of sudden restrictions.”
- “The situation is better than it was this morning, but 160 km/h is not enough to intercept” some Russian jet drones, a Ukrainian official added.
The plot: Ukrainian officials believe the restrictions were imposed intentionally by SpaceX to push Ukraine to agree to Trump’s demand not to attack Russian oil refineries.
- Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote to Musk on X on Wednesday: “Hey big guy, are you still playing politics with your products? As European customers, we are watching you.”
Between the lines: Ukraine relies on two satellite systems.
- One of them is SpaceX’s Starlink, which is used for communications, ground forces, logistics and defensive drones – those that shoot down incoming drones.
- The other is Starshield, controlled by the US government and used for offensive military purposes.
- Both systems were restricted, according to Ukraine.
What they say: In an article on
- “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or use are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” he wrote.
- “Starlink,” he added, “is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Use of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as that would be inappropriate for a commercial company.”
Behind the scenes: Zelensky’s top advisers spoke Wednesday with their White House counterparts and asked whether there had been a decision to shut down Starlink services and what could be done to remedy the situation, two sources said.
- Ukrainian officials have made similar appeals to the CIA and the Pentagon.
- White House officials told the Ukrainians they had no control over SpaceX, according to the sources.
- One of the sources said the Trump administration would contact SpaceX to figure out what happened.
- The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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