Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk reportedly ordered the throttling of a military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet system utilized heavily by Ukrainian forces, according to media reports citing U.S. officials and individuals familiar with the situation. The operational restriction reportedly hampered Kyiv’s ongoing attack and air defense drone missions targeting Russian positions.
The decision to slow the satellite network’s performance arrived as Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in discussions regarding the technology. The two figures reportedly conversed about the Starlink restrictions prior to the implementation of the slowdown, and spoke again on a phone call shortly after the measure became public while the president was campaigning.
Following the event, President Trump distanced himself and Musk from direct responsibility regarding the disruption of Ukraine’s satellite access. Speaking publicly on a Friday, the president stated he did not believe either he or Musk was responsible for the operational impact on Ukraine’s military campaign against Russia. Musk had previously indicated that the operational deployment of Starshield, the military variant of the satellite platform, ultimately remained subject to the direction of the U.S. president.
The satellite network restriction coincides with broader geopolitical friction involving Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. President Trump previously turned his political criticism toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after lifting sanctions on Russian diesel. That sanctions adjustment was intended to alleviate soaring fuel prices that surged following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran in February. In the wake of those policy shifts, the U.S. administration urged Kyiv to halt strikes against Russian oil refineries and suggested that Ukrainians replace Zelenskiy.
Representatives for Musk, his space exploration firm, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported network throttling.
