A decision by Elon Musk restricted Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s satellite communications network, people familiar with the matter told CBS News. The service, used for drone operations and protecting sites in Ukraine, was slowed significantly last week.
Musk held multiple conversations with administration officials before the order as he sought clarity on the president’s thinking, the sources said. They said he disliked his company being seen as profiting from the Russia-Ukraine war. Musk licenses Starshield technology to the U.S. government and said last week Washington controls access and service levels, writing on X that “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
The temporary restrictions surprised some administration officials, who said neither President Trump nor the Pentagon specifically ordered limits intended to disrupt drone operations and battlefield communications. Trump said Monday he was seeking details on who ordered the slowdown. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Pentagon had not manipulated the service.
Ukrainian officials and soldiers told CBS News the military began experiencing throttling of Starshield equipment late Tuesday, with sources in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense saying SpaceX imposed the restrictions unilaterally. Regular Starlink terminals have a 70 km/hr speed cap, while Starshield has no artificial speed cap and is known to work at speeds of at least 160 km/hr. Ukrainian units reported link drops at speeds as low as 90 km/hr, making those drones inoperable, with estimated losses of tens of millions of dollars, according to an analysis by Armed Forces of Ukraine drone pilot Dimko Zhluktenko.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday the speed limits prevented Ukraine from using Starshield to shoot down Shahed attack drones and told NBC News on Sunday limits remained. He said over the weekend the maximum speed was 161 km/hr and said Tuesday he discussed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio a situation with Starlink/Starshield that needs restoration. A bipartisan group of senators asked the Defense Department watchdog to investigate last week.