Did Elon Musk Turn Off Starlink In Ukraine? Trump Link Surfaces Amid Zelensky Rift

Elon Musk has pointed to US President Donald Trump and the American military as the authorities responsible for restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink connectivity, as Kyiv reported disruptions to its battlefield operations amid growing tensions with Washington.

Musk said the military-grade satellite service Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, with any limits on speed or usage decided by the US military and ultimately the president. His comments came after Ukrainian officials reported that unexpected speed restrictions had affected drone operations and forced the cancellation of some planned military missions.

The restrictions were introduced overnight on Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials, who said their forces had received no advance warning. The disruptions came as Russia launched deadly attacks against Ukraine, including ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv that Ukrainian officials said were not preceded by the usual warnings from allies.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for the restoration of connectivity, saying he hoped the disruption was the result of a technical error or a major technical problem.

Ukraine’s defence technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said the restrictions were not coincidental and linked them to the prevailing political situation.

Musk, responding to appeals from Ukrainian officials on X, said Starshield was controlled by the US government. He also stressed that Starlink was intended for civilian or defensive activities and could not be used for offensive military action, which he said would be inappropriate for a commercial company.

The US government had not commented on the reported restrictions.

Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, provides internet access through satellites in low Earth orbit and has become a vital communications tool for Ukraine’s military. Starshield, meanwhile, is designed for government and military use.

Ukrainian officials said speed restrictions introduced on Tuesday night limited operations at speeds above 100mph (160km/h), causing connectivity problems for drones that rely on the network for in-flight control.

The 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of Ukraine’s air assault forces said it had noticed Starlink connectivity problems caused by data transfer speed limits overnight. The unit said the changes directly affected drones and forced it to cancel some planned operations.

“The drones kept flying, but the interruptions made them harder to control,” the unit said in a statement.

Beskrestnov said the restrictions specifically affected the military-grade version of the service at speeds above 100mph. Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said connectivity had been partially restored by Wednesday evening and urged Musk to remove the speed limit entirely, calling it critical for Ukraine’s defence.

However, a spokesperson for Zelenskyy told NBC News that the limitations remained in place late Wednesday. A Ukrainian official also said the government had contacted the US government and SpaceX seeking clarification but had yet to receive a response. Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires to the US, Denys Sienik, described Starshield as lifesaving technology, saying it helped protect civilians and prevent further destruction caused by Russian attacks.

The disruption also raised concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian drone attacks, with Starlink used to intercept jet-powered drones targeting Ukrainian cities.

The reported restrictions came amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Trump has pressed Ukraine to halt strikes against Russian energy facilities as his administration seeks to lower fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

The tensions intensified after Trump struck a deal with Russia to import 300,000 tonnes of diesel, a move that disrupted years of US sanctions. Trump also called for Zelenskyy to be replaced and announced an “energy ceasefire” that neither side appeared to have agreed to.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russian energy targets to respect Trump’s wishes, while Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The Ukrainian president also said he felt betrayed by the situation, although he acknowledged that the issue went beyond his personal feelings and concerned Ukraine’s survival.

At the same time, Ukrainian and European officials were trying to understand why Kyiv had received no advance warning before two Russian ballistic missile strikes earlier in the week. While Trump insisted that the US continued sharing intelligence with Ukraine, the lack of warnings raised fresh questions about the status of that assistance.

At least 600,000 people across Ukraine were left without electricity following the latest Russian attacks, Zelenskyy said. The Starlink disruption has added another layer of uncertainty to Ukraine’s reliance on American support, with Kyiv seeking answers from Washington and SpaceX as the diplomatic rift deepens.

Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in c… Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart from reporting on current affairs, he enjoys watching, playing sports, and re-watching sitcoms. View MoreView Less