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An order to restrict the satellite communications system used by Ukraine’s military for battlefield coordination and drone operations originated inside the White House, according to two U.S. officials and a Western official cited by Reuters on October 15.
The officials said senior Defense Department leaders had received a message that SpaceX’s Starshield service for the Ukrainian military needed to be slowed. They did not identify who in the White House made the decision or who was responsible for implementing it. The Pentagon is Starshield’s largest customer.
Ukrainian officials reported earlier this week that military-grade satellite terminals had stopped working when installed on fast-moving platforms, disrupting Ukrainian drones that rely on satellite connectivity for onboard guidance. On Thursday, a Ukrainian Defense Ministry official said the terminals were functioning while in motion, but only at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
U.S. pressure over strikes on Russian refineries
The restrictions came amid President Donald Trump’s pressure on Kyiv to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. Trump has blamed the strikes for rising energy prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
However, experts attribute much of the increase in energy costs to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which triggered Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure and largely halted shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Asked about the order to restrict Starshield, a senior U.S. official said: “No such request was ever made by the president.” The White House did not clarify whether another administration official had issued the instruction.
Starshield was developed by SpaceX for government and national security customers, particularly the U.S. Department of War. Although it is built on Starlink technology, it is designed for military and other sensitive government operations. The U.S. government owns and controls Starshield, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on October 14, adding that decisions on its speed and use rest with the U.S. military or the president.
Ukrainian officials said the restrictions complicated strike missions against Russian forces and logistics facilities in occupied territories and slowed interceptor drones used to destroy incoming Russian Shahed attack drones.
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv
Relations between Ukraine and the United States have deteriorated following a meeting in Miami on October 9 involving representatives from both countries, European partners and the World Bank.
According to a source familiar with the meeting, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressed frustration with Ukraine’s continued attacks on Russian refineries despite repeated requests from Washington to stop them.
The U.S. delegation also explained Washington’s decision to pursue a deal involving Russian diesel supplies, which the White House reportedly hopes will encourage Moscow to adopt a more cooperative stance in peace negotiations. The arrangement has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers, who argue that it could provide Russia with additional revenue for its war effort.
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials have also threatened to stop sharing intelligence on Russian missile launches that Ukraine uses to defend against attacks. Trump said on Tuesday that Washington was continuing to provide intelligence to Kyiv.
After the satellite restrictions were introduced, Ukrainian officials contacted senior representatives of the White House, State Department and Pentagon on Tuesday and Wednesday to seek an explanation. A senior Ukrainian official said Kyiv was told that the decision had originated in the White House.
Update: By October 15, a Ukrainian official told Axios that Starlink and Starshield services had been restored to full capacity after more than a day of disruption. However, responsibility for the restrictions remained unclear.
