Zelenskyy Accuses US of Throttling SpaceX Satellite Services

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that speed limitations on SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield satellite systems are disabling Ukrainian interceptor drones used against Russian Shahed loitering munitions. Zelenskyy reported that terminals automatically disconnect when platforms exceed a speed threshold—cited as 161 km/h—causing drones to be lost mid-flight. He concluded the restrictions are a "planned operation" after Ukrainian tests showed the same terminals functioned normally at 180 km/h within the European Union.

Conflict has emerged over who authorized the throttling. SpaceX attributed the disconnections to engineering malfunctions, but reports suggest CEO Elon Musk proposed the caps to President Donald Trump. Trump denied any involvement, asserting that neither he nor Musk ordered operational limits. Musk countered that because Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government, any usage limits are decided by the U.S. military and the president.

The restrictions come amid broader tensions, with Trump criticizing Zelenskyy for creating "problems for the whole world" and suggesting Ukraine needs a leader capable of reaching a deal with Russia. While Ukrainian officials negotiate with the Pentagon and SpaceX to lift the constraints, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov has discussed the issue and potential peace proposals with U.S. envoy Jared Kushner.