Krystyna Kazakova01:18, 21.10.26

Musk and Trump discussed the Starlink decision by phone shortly after information about the restrictions became public.

American millionaire, founder of SpaceX companies Elon Musk,  has ordered to limit the operation of the military version of Starlink, on which Ukraine depends, the Wall Street Journal reports , citing American officials and people familiar with the matter.

The publication claims that Musk has agreed to slow down the operation of the Starlink satellite internet system, which provides internet access using thousands of satellites orbiting Earth.

Musk and Trump discussed the Starlink decision by phone shortly after the restrictions became public. Some U.S. officials have said Musk acted alone and Trump did not give a specific order to punish Ukraine.

However, a source familiar with the situation said that Musk spoke with several senior administration officials, including Trump himself, before implementing the new speed limit.

The SpaceX founder imposed limits on the speed at which Ukrainian equipment could remain connected to the satellite network, rendering some combat drones and drones used to shoot down enemy drones virtually unusable.

According to American officials and people familiar with the matter, this caused panic in Kyiv and confusion in the Trump administration.

The publication noted that both Musk and US President Donald Trump expressed outrage at Ukraine for carrying out attacks on Russian oil refineries in recent weeks. The White House chief of staff claims that these attacks have caused energy prices to rise.

Starlink operation permit

UNIAN previously reported that Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick promised that those who restrict Starshield’s activities “will be subject to a thorough investigation and held fully accountable.” He advocates holding congressional hearings and imposing “immediate, severe and punitive budget cuts for any agency or its leader responsible.” Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina called it either an “unacceptable mistake or omission” or a conscious “decision to clear the field for a Russian attack.”

We also wrote that the BBC quoted former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker as saying that Starlink gives Ukraine the ability to see what is coming and protect people. Volker added that if it is turned off, even more people will die, and it is a very cynical and heartless decision to slow down this process in the way it was done. In addition, Ukraine needs satellite communications to protect its airspace from Russian attacks. In particular, to control the interceptor drones that shoot down the Shaheds.

(C)UNIAN 2026