Elon Musk reportedly ordered restrictions on a military version of Starlink used by Ukraine, disrupting drone operations during the war with Russia. The decision surprised officials in Kyiv and caused confusion within the Trump administration, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper reported on October 20 that Musk personally authorized the slowdown last week. Its findings were based on accounts from US officials and people familiar with the decision.
The restrictions affected Starshield, a military-grade satellite communications service developed by Musk’s company, SpaceX.
Ukraine relies on the network for battlefield communications and drone missions. However, the new limits reportedly prevented some equipment from maintaining connections while traveling at higher speeds.
As a result, certain Ukrainian attack drones and drone interceptors became largely ineffective.
Reuters also reported the allegations but said it could not independently verify the WSJ findings.
Did Musk Act Without Trump’s Approval?
The reported decision has raised questions about who authorized the restrictions.
According to the WSJ, some officials believe Musk acted on his own initiative. Other sources said he had discussed the issue with senior administration officials beforehand.
The newspaper also reported that Musk and President Donald Trump discussed the restrictions after they became public.
Trump has denied ordering the slowdown.
Meanwhile, Musk previously said the US government controls decisions involving Starshield’s military use. He maintained that restrictions ultimately fall under the authority of the US military and the president.
These conflicting accounts have left the chain of responsibility unclear.
The White House, SpaceX and Musk did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the WSJ report.
The restrictions also emerged during disagreements over Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Both Trump and Musk have criticized recent Ukrainian strikes against Russian diesel facilities. Trump has linked those attacks to rising energy prices.
However, the available reporting does not establish whether those disagreements directly motivated the Starshield decision.
Ukraine Warns of Risks to Its Air Defenses
The Starshield restrictions reportedly began on October 14.
According to Ukrainian officials, the speed limits disrupted drone missions that depend on continuous satellite connections.
The problem affected both offensive operations and drones used to intercept Russian attacks.
Ukraine subsequently began discussions with SpaceX and the US government about removing the restrictions.
The Associated Press reported that Ukrainian officials were seeking a solution to the speed limit, which affected equipment traveling above approximately 160 kilometers per hour.
The disruption also added pressure to already strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.
On October 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that American intelligence sharing had resumed following a separate interruption.
That cooperation provides Ukraine with early warnings about potential Russian missile attacks.
However, the restoration of intelligence sharing does not necessarily mean the Starshield speed restrictions have been lifted.
For Ukraine, the dispute highlights the risks of relying on satellite communications controlled by external providers.
It also raises questions about how decisions involving private technology companies can affect military operations during an active war.
The WSJ report has brought renewed scrutiny to Musk’s role in Ukraine’s communications infrastructure. For now, the full circumstances surrounding the Starshield restrictions remain disputed.
