Ukrainian forces on Wednesday signaled restrictions on the military use of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications system, saying an overnight change disrupted several drone missions amid escalating tensions between kyiv and Washington.
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The restrictions appear to affect StarShield, the military version of the satellite communications service, whose connectivity would be cut off when terminals move at speeds above about 100 miles per hour.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s adviser on military technology, known as “Flash,” said SpaceX introduced the speed limit overnight without informing Ukrainian forces.
“Our defense forces did not receive warning about this limitation, which led to the interruption of several missions,” Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko also reported the disruption, suggesting that SpaceX may have introduced restrictions at the request of US President Donald Trump’s administration.
There is, however, no independent evidence that the White House ordered this change, and the reason for the reported restrictions remains unclear.
Another potential source of leverage for the United States?
The development has raised concerns that access to critical US satellite communications could become another source of influence over kyiv, alongside US threats to suspend intelligence sharing unless Ukraine ends its strikes on Russian oil refineries.
According to media reports, the Trump administration has warned that intelligence cooperation could be reduced, although Washington has denied suspending intelligence sharing and Ukrainian officials maintain that cooperation continues.
The timing also drew attention following public criticism of Zelenskyy by Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of SpaceX, which operates Starlink.
On Saturday, Musk responded to a White House video showing Trump criticizing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, writing on X: “Zelensky has gone too far.”
The comment comes amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and kyiv, following Trump’s deal with Moscow to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and his demands that Ukraine suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
However, no link has been established between Starlink’s reported restrictions and the diplomatic dispute.
Russia continues strikes despite Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’
The reports come amid renewed questions about the reliability of advance intelligence sharing after Zelensky said Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of Russian ballistic missile strikes on kyiv for the second night in a row.
The attacks continued despite Trump’s declaration of an energy ceasefire, which kyiv, Moscow says, has not respected.
According to Zelensky, Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and stray munitions overnight against kyiv, the surrounding region and Kharkiv, damaging 26 electrical installations and four oil and gas facilities and leaving at least 600,000 people without power.
“Russia has never shown such blatant disrespect towards the United States,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by Trump.
Despite growing tensions with Washington, Zelensky directly called on the US president to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and provide additional Patriot missile interceptors.
“We ask America and EVERYONE who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond and respond forcefully,” he wrote.
The latest developments underscore Ukraine’s continued reliance on U.S. support for intelligence, military technology and air defense, at a time when relations with Washington have become increasingly uncertain.
Gn world
