Key facts
- SpaceX has limited Starlink services for Ukrainian military operations, restricting terminal speeds.
- The restrictions have disrupted several Ukrainian military missions, according to presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov.
- Ukrainian forces were not warned of the Starlink service limitations.
- Poland's foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, questioned Elon Musk on X about the Starlink restrictions.
- Poland pays for Ukraine's Starlink subscription, which is used for guiding longer-range drone strikes.
Ukraine accused Elon Musk's SpaceX of limiting Starlink services, which it claims has crippled its drone operations and disrupted military missions. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov stated that the restrictions, which prevent military-grade Starlink terminals from functioning at high speeds, were imposed without warning. The connection can drop for 10-20 seconds at speeds of 110-120 km/h, making drone control more difficult.
This development occurs as Ukraine's relationship with the US has reportedly worsened. US President Donald Trump has allegedly pressured Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian refineries, which he has blamed for high diesel prices. Trump also announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to cease attacks on energy targets, though neither side confirmed this and Russia has continued intensive bombing.
Poland, which pays for Ukraine's Starlink subscriptions, has publicly questioned Musk's political motivations. Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked on X if Musk was "playing politics with your products again," adding that European customers were watching. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In parallel, Russia launched missile attacks that damaged over 30 power stations, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Ukrainian officials stated they received no warnings from Western partners before these attacks, which Zelenskiy characterized as a deliberate snub to Trump's declaration of a ceasefire on energy targets.