Ukraine has raised alarms that unannounced restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink satellite services are hampering its air defense operations, just as the Trump administration pressures Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said on Telegram that limits on Starlink's services in Ukraine were imposed without warning. A source familiar with the matter told The Hill that Ukrainian drones, airplanes, and helicopters were affected, with Starlink services cut off for objects traveling faster than 100 miles per hour. This has hindered Ukraine's ability to intercept and counter Russian-launched explosive drones, the source said, and military units also reported issues with drone operations at lower speeds.
“This will also give Russians a real leverage on a frontline at the time when we effectively stopped their advances, and de-occupy the territories,” the source added.
Ukraine uses Starshield, the military-grade network of satellite services provided by Starlink. The satellite internet provider is owned by Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and close ally to President Trump. SpaceX, Musk's company operating Starlink, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The slowdown in Starlink's speed comes as the Trump administration is exercising renewed pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, demanding that Ukraine halt strikes on Russian oil refineries that Trump says are contributing to higher diesel prices in the U.S. According to an NPR interview published Tuesday, Zelensky said Trump floated blocking intelligence sharing with Kyiv until it halted its strikes.
“Did we get any messages it can be stopped? Yes. My generals told me we have such risk,” Zelensky told NPR. He added that U.S. intelligence is important to receive advanced warning on Russian ballistic missile strikes. Underscoring the threat, he said the nation had not received information about such threats over the last two nights, describing it as a technical glitch. He did not comment on whether the U.S. was withholding the data.
Zelensky has defended strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as defensive responses to Russian attacks against Ukraine's electricity grids and civilian infrastructure. He also told NPR that he found out about Trump's proposed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine through the president's social media. He told Fox News on Monday that Kyiv held off on striking Russian energy sites following Trump's directive, but that Russia hit Ukrainian gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities.
The development follows Trump's threat to cut Ukraine's intelligence and arms over energy strikes. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims half of Russia's oil refining capacity has been knocked out, a factor in the escalating tensions. The situation also feeds into a broader MAGA feud over Zelensky's defense, as some Trump allies push for a tougher line on Kyiv.
