Elon Musk reportedly initiated a slowdown of SpaceX’s Starlink service utilized by Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, a move that has significantly impacted drone operations, according to The Wall Street Journal. The decision allegedly followed discussions between Musk and former President Donald Trump, both of whom have voiced criticisms of Ukrainian leadership.
Musk previously stated that the military version, Starshield, is controlled by the U.S. government, with any usage restrictions determined by the military and the President. This development has prompted an informal White House investigation amid concerns over Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Musk Reportedly Limited Starlink Access for Ukraine, Sparking Controversy
New York, NY - In a move that has raised concerns over Ukraine's military capabilities, Elon Musk reportedly ordered a slowdown of a specific version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, which has been crucial for Ukrainian forces in their ongoing conflict with Russia. The Wall Street Journal broke the news on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials and sources close to the matter.
According to the report, Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, implemented a cap on the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could connect to the Starlink network last week. This decision is said to have significantly impacted the operability of some Ukrainian drones, hindering their effectiveness on the battlefield.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attending a press briefing with President Donald Trump. (Photo: Finn Gomez | Getty Images)
The report further suggests that Musk and former President Donald Trump, both of whom have publicly expressed criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed this Starlink throttling "soon after" the change was first revealed. Sources indicate that Musk engaged in discussions with several senior Trump administration officials, including Trump himself, prior to imposing the speed restrictions.
When reached for comment, the White House and an email associated with Musk did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the Journal's report. The news surfaced shortly after SpaceX announced its latest quarterly earnings, though the matter was not addressed during a subsequent conference call with investors.
Former President Trump, when asked about the Starlink interruption on Monday, stated, "I don't know who ordered it, but I'd like to find out."
President Zelenskyy's public statements highlighting the slowdown's detrimental effect on Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks have reportedly prompted an informal inquiry within the White House.
This development follows a statement Musk made on X (formerly Twitter) last Wednesday, asserting that Starshield, the military-grade iteration of Starlink, is "owned and controlled by the US government." He further clarified that any limitations on speed or usage are "decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS."
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