Elon Musk personally suggested to US President Donald Trump that he limit the speed of the Starshield military satellite system, which is used by the Ukrainian Defence Forces, according to The Telegraph. According to the publication’s sources, Trump supported the initiative, and the Pentagon has been given the go-ahead to implement it. Disruptions on 14 October hampered the operation of drones, reconnaissance and logistics.
Briefly about the main points
- The Telegraph links the Starshield restrictions initiative to Elon Musk.
- According to the publication, Donald Trump backed the proposed solution.
- Disruptions to moving assets hampered drone operations and logistics.
- Musk and Trump have publicly denied any personal involvement in the restrictions.
- In some units, satellite communications were restored in about a day.
The Telegraph has outlined a possible solution
On 16 October, *The Telegraph*, citing four informed sources, reported that Musk discussed with Trump speed limit Starshield for Ukrainian military personnel. Sources interviewed by the publication claim that, following the US President’s approval, the Ministry of Defence was able to introduce these restrictions.
Sources at the British publication also attributed Musk’s public distancing from the decision to fears of a negative reaction from European customers SpaceX. This claim is based on information from anonymous sources speaking to *The Telegraph*.
The disruptions affected drones, reconnaissance and logistics
On the night of 14 October, the Ukrainian military encountered sudden restrictions on the operation of Starshield terminals installed on mobile assets. Interfax-Ukraine sources within the Ministry of Defence reported that the signal could be lost when speeds exceeded approximately 160 km/h, whilst in some units, interruptions occurred even at lower speeds.
The restrictions have affected the deployment of interceptor drones, medium-range strike drones, aerial reconnaissance and frontline logistics. The commander of the 413th Separate «Raid» Unmanned Systems Regiment» Yevhen Karas The Associated Press reported that, due to a loss of communication, the military lost several drones and were unable to complete some of their missions.
Public statements by Musk and Trump contradict reports from sources
On 14 October, Musk stated on the social media platform X that Starshield is under the control of the US government, and that any restrictions on the speed or use of the system are determined by the US military and, ultimately, the President. He also emphasised that Starshield is a military system, unlike the commercial Starlink.
On 16 October, Trump told journalists that neither he nor the founder of SpaceX was responsible for Ukraine losing access to satellite communications. The US President also denied that Washington had imposed restrictions on Ukraine.
Earlier, Reuters, citing two US officials and one Western official, reported that the directive regarding Starshield had been issued by the White House to the Pentagon. The agency’s sources did not name the person who had taken the decision.
Some units have re-established contact and are seeking alternative channels
On 15–16 October, some Ukrainian units reported that satellite communications had returned to normal. The Associated Press noted that, following approximately 24 hours of disruption in some units, communications had been restored to the level required to carry out combat missions.
The Ukrainian military is simultaneously working on alternative communication channels. The Ministry of Defence has been in contact with the US, SpaceX and NATO partners to ascertain the reasons for the restrictions and prevent them from happening again.
