The White House reportedly ordered restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite communications system used by Ukraine, disrupting military drone operations and battlefield communications as tensions between Washington and Kyiv intensify.
According to two US officials and a Western official familiar with the matter, Pentagon leaders received instructions to slow the military-grade satellite service. However, the officials did not identify who authorized or implemented the restrictions.
Ukrainian military officials reported that Starlink receivers installed on fast-moving equipment stopped functioning properly, affecting drones used for reconnaissance, strikes and defensive operations.
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said Thursday that the systems had resumed operating while moving, but only at speeds below 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour).
The restrictions reportedly complicated Ukrainian attacks on Russian military positions and logistics networks in occupied territories. They also affected interceptor drones designed to destroy incoming Russian Shahed drones.
The reported Starshield limitations emerged as President Donald Trump increased pressure on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, blaming those strikes for rising energy prices ahead of November's US midterm elections.
However, analysts attribute much of the energy price surge to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has disrupted energy infrastructure and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior US official denied Trump's involvement, stating that the president had made no such request. The White House did not clarify whether other administration officials authorized the restrictions.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk explained Wednesday that Starshield systems operated by the US government fall under military or presidential authority regarding usage limitations.
Meanwhile, US-Ukraine relations have deteriorated following an October 9 meeting in Miami involving American, Ukrainian and European representatives.
During the discussions, US officials reportedly criticized Kyiv's continued strikes on Russian refineries and defended Washington's controversial diesel agreement with Moscow.
The deal, involving more than 2.25 million barrels of Russian diesel, has drawn criticism from US lawmakers concerned that additional revenue could support Russia's military campaign.
Washington also reportedly threatened to suspend intelligence sharing related to Russian missile launches, although Trump subsequently confirmed that intelligence cooperation continued.
Ukrainian officials contacted the White House, State Department and Pentagon seeking explanations for the Starshield disruptions. According to a senior Ukrainian official, Kyiv was informed that the decision originated from the White House.
The developments raise concerns about Ukraine's dependence on US-controlled satellite technology as diplomatic tensions threaten critical military support.
