Musk Points Finger at Washington Over Reported Starshield Restrictions in Ukraine

Elon Musk has shifted responsibility for reported restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite communications system to the US government, saying decisions on its speed and usage rest with American military authorities and President Donald Trump.

“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” the SpaceX chief said on Wednesday.

Starshield, developed by SpaceX, supports Ukraine’s battlefield communications. Musk emphasised that it is separate from Starlink, the company’s civilian satellite internet service, which Ukraine also uses but cannot deploy for offensive operations.

The remarks came after Ukraine’s former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced on X that “Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored.” He stressed, however, that “removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense.”

Fedorov later thanked Musk for his “continued support.”

The dispute comes as Ukrainian defence officials raise concerns about slower speeds on some internet terminals used in military operations against Russian-occupied territory and in the deployment of interceptor drones. Officials have suggested that the restrictions may have originated in Washington.

Tensions have also grown over intelligence sharing. Ukraine has accused the United States of failing to provide timely warnings about incoming Russian missile attacks, leaving Kyiv exposed to ballistic missile strikes on two successive nights before air raid sirens sounded.

The reported disruptions have triggered criticism from lawmakers across the US political spectrum.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee accused Trump of making a decision that benefits Moscow, declaring: “Trump’s making a choice — and it directly aids Putin’s slaughter of Ukrainian civilians.”

The lawmakers condemned the reported restrictions as “unconscionable” as Ukraine continued to face Russian drone and missile attacks.

Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for the restrictions to be lifted without delay.

“The restrictions on Ukraine’s access to Starshield must stop immediately,” she said, warning that “lives are at stake.”

Shaheen also said the Pentagon is required to inform Congress if intelligence sharing with Ukraine is paused or reduced. She urged Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to issue immediate notification if any changes had occurred.

Republican Senator Tom Tillis echoed concerns about Washington’s approach, writing on X: “Supporting Ukrainian sovereignty — or at the very least, allowing for it — should not be a gray area for the US government or for American corporations.”

The controversy unfolds ahead of next month’s key US midterm elections, with fuel prices emerging as a major political concern. Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to supply shortages and higher prices at the pump.

A senior official in Kyiv confirmed that the United States had recently threatened to withhold intelligence on Russian missile launches, which Ukraine relies on to defend against incoming attacks.

Trump rejected the claim on Tuesday.

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