Donald Trump Intervenes to Restore Ukraine Starshield Satellite Service
President Donald Trump requested SpaceX CEO Elon Musk restore Starshield satellite speeds in Ukraine after a 10-day disruption hindered military drone operations.
Military satellite internet services in Ukraine returned to normal operation on October 24 following a 10-day disruption. Since October 14, SpaceX had imposed speed restrictions on the military-grade Starshield service, causing Ukrainian drones to lose connectivity at speeds around 160 kilometers per hour. This disruption hindered interceptor drones and medium-range strikes against Russian logistics.
Donald Trump restored the service after a phone call with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on October 21. While Trump initially claimed he had not spoken with Musk, the restoration followed his offer to resolve the connectivity issues. The disruption occurred amid political tensions, including Trump's criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for bombing Russian oil refineries.
This incident follows a pattern of U.S. government requests to SpaceX to alter satellite access. Under both the Joe Biden and Trump administrations, Washington sought to deactivate terminals used by Iran-backed groups in Lebanon and Yemen, while expanding access in Ukraine and Iran. Although Vice President JD Vance defended Musk's reluctance to enter conflicts without government direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied administration involvement in the recent restrictions. Defense Minister Evgeniy Khmara confirmed that recent tests show stable connections at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour.
