The order to limit Starshield service for Ukraine came from inside the White House, according to sources cited by Reuters

Ana-Maria Tapescu

16 October 2026, 06:55

International

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The White House reportedly instructed the Pentagon to limit the operation of the Starshield military satellite communications system, used by the Ukrainian army to control drones and for communications at the front, according to American and Western officials cited by Reuters. The measure was reportedly taken amid pressure exerted by the Trump administration on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian refineries.

Reuters' sources did not specify who within the White House ordered the restriction or who implemented it. A senior American official denied that Donald Trump had requested the measure, but the White House did not clarify whether the order had come from other administration representatives.

Starshield terminals temporarily ceased operating at high speeds, affecting Ukrainian drones used for attacks and for intercepting Russian Shahed aircraft. According to a Ukrainian source, the systems began operating again, but only at speeds of approximately 160 kilometers per hour. Kyiv requested explanations from the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon.

Starshield is the military version of the Starlink infrastructure, developed by SpaceX for the US government. Elon Musk stated that the system is controlled by US authorities, and that any restriction is decided by the US military or the president.

Context: Ukraine reported restrictions on Starshield / Washington was accused of pressure related to attacks on Russian refineries

Before reports about a limitation of Starshield, Ukraine indicated that the Starlink service had been affected, including by limiting the speed of use while moving to approximately 160 kilometers per hour. The authorities in Kyiv said they remain in contact with SpaceX to resolve the problems, and the disruptions could affect operations, since the service is also used for army communications on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk claimed that any slowdown or limitation of the Starshield military network is decided by the U.S. government, not by SpaceX, and that the decisions would belong to the U.S. military and, ultimately, the president. Ukrainian sources linked the restrictions to American pressure on Kyiv to stop attacks on Russian refineries, while Democrats in Congress called on the Pentagon for clarification regarding access to networks and the exchange of information.