Overnight loss of connection

Overnight from October thirteen to October fourteen, Ukrainian military users found satellite-connected hardware traveling faster than one hundred mph lost its connection, according to Serhii Flash Beskrestnov, a defense technology advisor to Ukraine's president.

Some units hit at lower speeds

Ukraine's seventh Rapid Response Corps reported connection drops for ten to twenty seconds at one hundred ten to one hundred twenty kilometres per hour.

Starshield military service affected

Beskrestnov said the restriction applied to Starshield's military service package, the government and defense-focused version of the satellite internet network run by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Ukraine outmatched against Russian drones

Ukraine uses domestically built interceptor drones to hunt Russia's jet-powered Shahed attack drones, known in Russia as the Geran-three, which can fly as fast as three hundred seventy kilometres per hour, or about two hundred…

Zelensky confirms the speed cap

The maximum speed today is one hundred sixty-one kilometres per hour; after exceeding it, Starlink shuts down, and we lose the drone, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October seventeen.

“The maximum speed today is 161 km/h; after exceeding it, Starlink shuts down, and we lose the drone.”

Restriction hurts Ukraine's defence

Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, told Fortune the interference hurt Ukraine's ability to defend itself, not just its offensive capabilities.

Musk blames the U.S. government

Elon Musk disavowed responsibility, posting on X that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S.government.Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S.military and ultimately the president, he said.

“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.”

White House reportedly ordered the slowdown

Two U.S.officials and a Western official told Reuters the order to slow Starshield service for Ukraine came from inside the White House, though they did not say who made the decision.

Zelensky says it's a political message

Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press on October eighteen, Zelensky said Ukraine's generals, its government, and he himself believe the throttling was a message from the American government to limit the speed.

“Technically, SpaceX did it, but it's limited because it's a decision.”

Trump administration denies all involvement

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that no one at the White House ordered anyone to slow down internet or speed so that certain drones couldn't use it, calling such reports categorically false.

“It wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon.”

Pattern of moves favouring Russia

The throttling comes amid a series of administration moves easing pressure on Russia. On October nine, after Trump announced a diesel deal with President Vladimir Putin, the Treasury Department issued General License one hundred thirty-five…

Trump waives Russia sanctions before they take effect

Late on October sixteen, Trump signed an executive order waiving nearly all of the substantive sanctions, tariffs, and restrictions in the Lindsey O.