Zelenskyy states Starlink speed restrictions in Ukraine appear deliberate

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that recent internet speed restrictions on the Starlink satellite network in Ukraine appear to be a planned operation rather than a technical issue, the Financial Times and Bloomberg reported. According to CNBC and Bloomberg, Ukrainian officials said SpaceX restricted the satellite connectivity without advance notice earlier in the week. CNBC noted that the restrictions involved Starshield, a military grade version of the Starlink system. [1][4][5][6][10]

The restrictions have hampered military operations and reduced the ability of Ukraine to intercept Russian attacks, the Financial Times and CBS News reported. According to CNBC, Ukrainian officials stated that the unexpected limits on connectivity affected civilian defence efforts during intensifying Russian strikes. CBS News added that Ukrainian forces remained unable to intercept Russian drones as a result of the ongoing restrictions. [1][4][8]

United States President Donald Trump denied that the White House ordered the restrictions, CNBC and The Hill reported. According to The Hill, President Trump claimed that neither he nor SpaceX founder Elon Musk caused the outage. CNBC reported that SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk placed responsibility elsewhere, while LBC reported claims that Elon Musk had approached Donald Trump to reduce access for Ukraine following a disagreement with Ukrainian leadership. [3][4][9]

In the United States, a bipartisan group of senators pressed the Pentagon for details regarding the service changes, according to The Hill. Four Republican senators joined Democratic colleagues in asking whether officials had ordered restrictions on access for Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy took office as president of Ukraine in 2019, while SpaceX began launching its Starlink satellite constellation in 2019. [2][11][12]