Dispute Over Ukraine’s Satellite Communications

CBS News reports that Elon Musk’s decision led to restrictions on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s Starshield satellite communications network, which Ukrainian forces rely on for communications and drone operations. People familiar with the matter said Musk spoke with administration officials before the order and wanted clarity about President Donald Trump’s position. The precise way the slowdown was implemented is unclear. Musk has said the U.S. government controls access to Starshield and that decisions about limits ultimately rest with the U.S. military and the president. The White House and Pentagon had not commented to CBS News at the time of publication, and Musk did not respond to a request for comment. The restrictions surprised some administration officials, who said neither Trump nor the Pentagon had specifically ordered a disruption. Trump said he wanted to learn who ordered the slowdown. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had not changed or manipulated service, while noting that Starlink’s terms of service allow SpaceX to make decisions. Ukraine’s president’s office said the system remained throttled. Starshield is a military-grade network developed by SpaceX for the U.S. government and its partners. It uses technology similar to civilian Starlink and is crucial to Ukrainian military operations; CBS News says no working alternative is available. Ukrainian officials and soldiers reported sudden connection problems, especially for fast-moving drones. Regular Starlink terminals degrade above 70 km/h, while Starshield had been known to work at speeds of at least 160 km/h. Ukrainian units reportedly experienced link failures at speeds as low as 90 km/h, disabling some drones. An analyst estimated the degradation had caused tens of millions of dollars in losses. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said restrictions also hampered efforts to intercept Russian Shahed drones and that he had discussed restoring service with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. U.S. lawmakers called for an investigation, citing risks to lives. The article places the dispute amid worsening tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy over U.S. support, weapons deliveries, intelligence and the path to ending the war. Trump has criticized Zelenskyy, while Zelenskyy says Russia continues attacks despite discussion of an energy ceasefire. Trump has also eased some restrictions on Russian energy and sanctions, moves Zelenskyy says could benefit Russia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown affecting a version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network used by Ukraine during its war with Russia. Citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said Musk capped the speeds at which Ukrainian equipment could remain connected. The change reportedly left some Ukrainian drones virtually inoperable, potentially weakening a capability Ukraine uses in its defense. The report also said Musk and President Donald Trump discussed the throttling soon after the change became public last week. One source told the Journal that Musk had spoken with multiple senior Trump administration officials, including Trump, before imposing the speed cap. Both Musk and Trump have recently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House and an email address associated with Musk did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. The Journal’s report appeared shortly after SpaceX announced its latest quarterly earnings, but the matter was not raised during a subsequent investor call with Musk. Trump said Monday that he did not know who ordered the Starlink interruption, adding that he would like to find out. According to the Journal, Zelenskyy’s public complaints that the slowdown was undermining Ukraine’s defenses against Russian attacks prompted an informal White House investigation. Musk had previously written on X that Starshield—the military-grade version of Starlink—is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, and that decisions about speed or usage limits are made by the U.S. military and ultimately the president. The report thus raises questions about who authorized the change and how control over military-grade satellite communications is exercised.

A New York Post report, citing The Wall Street Journal and other outlets, says Elon Musk decided to limit Ukraine’s access to Starshield, SpaceX’s military-grade satellite internet service, on October 14. The service supports Ukrainian offensive and interceptor drone operations. Under the reported speed cap, objects traveling faster than 100 mph could not connect, disrupting drone operations during a period of Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants. The disruption reportedly lasted through much of the following week. Accounts differ over who authorized the restriction. The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk acted without consulting the White House, while another source said he consulted senior administration figures and President Donald Trump. Reuters and The Telegraph also offered differing accounts. An administration official told the Post the action was “Pentagon freelancing,” not a direct White House decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the message to limit speed came from the US government and that SpaceX implemented it. Musk denied personally limiting access, saying Starshield is controlled by the US government and that its restrictions are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. He also said SpaceX’s commercial Starlink service is intended for civilian or defensive use, not offensive military action. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the US had interfered with Ukraine’s access or intelligence. Rubio characterized any interruptions on October 13 and 18 as technical issues, rather than a directive to withhold warnings of Russian strikes. The report places the dispute amid strained US-Ukraine relations. Trump has criticized Zelensky over peace talks, and a US-Russia arrangement involving diesel exports drew Ukrainian objections. The article says neither the White House nor SpaceX responded to the Post’s request for comment.