Reports indicate that Starlink speeds were throttled in Ukraine starting October 14. This slowdown affected the military-grade Starshield network, which Ukrainian officials claim hindered the operation of offensive and interceptor drones.
Elon Musk stated on X that Starshield systems are under the control of the U.S. government, asserting that usage limits are determined by the military and the President. He added that standard Starlink service is restricted to defensive and civilian use.
The origin of the decision remains disputed. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed the order to the U.S. government, former President Donald Trump denied personal involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the service disruption as a technical issue rather than a formal directive.
The situation has drawn significant political scrutiny. Reports suggest that the slowdown occurred amid broader discussions regarding U.S. policy toward Ukraine and energy imports, with various officials offering conflicting accounts of who authorized the limitations on the satellite network.
