A slowdown in SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network that disrupted Ukraine’s drone operations was triggered by an order from company’s CEO Elon Musk , The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed US officials and other sources.
The disruption, which reportedly lasted a day this week, affected drone operations and resulted in the loss of drones and the failure of missions, according to Ukrainian commanders cited in the report. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the failure to alert Kyiv ahead of a series of heavy Russian strikes late Tuesday and into Wednesday, calling it “completely unjust”. He also accused Moscow of deliberately violating what US President Donald Trump had described as an “energy ceasefire”. However, in a separate post on X, Zelensky said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that the early-warning system was now working.
Musk says US government responsible, not SpaceX
Earlier reporting noted: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has come under scrutiny over reported disruptions to satellite internet services used by Ukrainian forces, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accusing the company of restricting access during the war with Russia. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington had not directed any reduction in the satellite services, while secretary of state Marco Rubio maintained that the White House was not responsible for the reported disruption. “Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government.
Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” Musk said on Wednesday, October 14, referring to US President Donald Trump.
Elon Musk said the US government, not SpaceX, is responsible for any restrictions on Ukraine’s use of its Starshield satellite communications system. Earlier reporting noted: A report by The Wall Street Journal, citing officials familiar with the matter, said Musk had directed an intentional slowdown of Ukraine’s essential military Starlink network, triggering alarm in Kyiv and leaving the Trump administration bewildered.
Earlier reporting noted: US officials, however, have denied ordering any slowdown.
