Category: World

White House Denies Restricting Starlink in Ukraine, Says SpaceX Is Beyond Its Control

Oct 15, 2026 12:04 Updated Oct 15, 2026 12:35

2 min read

Authors: Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer

A Starlink device is pictured which connects the brigade to the internet as servicemen of the 155th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate on the frontline near Pokrovsk on February 9, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

The administration of US President Donald Trump has denied any involvement in recent restrictions affecting SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system in Ukraine, according to Axios on October 14

Senior advisers to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held discussions with officials from the White House, CIA, and Pentagon on October 14 to determine whether Washington had authorized the restrictions and explore possible ways to resolve the situation.

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During the talks, White House representatives told Ukrainian officials that the US administration does not control SpaceX, the company operating the Starlink satellite network, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

One source also indicated that the Trump administration intends to contact SpaceX directly to clarify the circumstances surrounding the restrictions and determine what caused the disruption to Starlink services in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that he had no influence over decisions concerning restrictions on Starshield terminals used by Ukraine, which operate under Starlink's military communications service.

“The complete removal of the speed restriction in Starshield is now critically important for Ukraine's defense,” Fedorov wrote.

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.

Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2026

The statements follow reports that SpaceX introduced new speed restrictions for Starlink terminals operating in motion overnight on October 14, disrupting several Ukrainian military operations without prior warning.

Ukrainian defense technology adviser Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov reported that the restrictions initially affected StarShield, limiting the operation of moving terminals to speeds of 100 miles per hour (approximately 160 km/h).

Sources within Ukraine's Ministry of Defense also indicated that overnight testing had identified connectivity disruptions when StarShield terminals exceeded approximately 160 km/h, although the precise speed threshold remained under verification.

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However, Ukrainian military units subsequently reported experiencing communication failures at significantly lower speeds, forcing them to suspend some drone operations.

According to hromadske on October 14, Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps confirmed that its units operating in the Huliaipole sector of the Zaporizhzhia region began encountering connectivity problems overnight.

The disruptions affected StarShield connections used to control drones during flight, with some unmanned aircraft reportedly losing communication for up to 20 seconds while traveling at speeds of just 110–120 km/h.

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