Some Ukrainian drones lost service after Musk chose to restrict Ukraine’s Starshield access

How the restrictions emerged

People familiar with the matter told CBS News that Musk’s decision resulted in limits on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX satellite communications. They said he held several discussions with administration officials before the order, seeking to understand the president’s position.

Musk has said he dislikes the perception that his company benefits from the continuing Russia-Ukraine war. He licenses Starshield to the U.S. government and said last week that the United States determines access and service levels.

Impact on Ukrainian forces

Starshield is a military-grade network built by SpaceX for the U.S. government and its partners. Based on technology similar to Starlink, it helps Ukrainian forces communicate and conduct strikes, including by keeping contact with drones over long distances.

Regular Starlink terminals have a 70 km/hr speed limit for internet use in moving vehicles. Ukrainian units reported connection losses at speeds as low as 90 km/hr, making affected drones unusable.

Dimko Zhluktenko, a drone pilot and analyst in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, estimated that Starshield’s reduced performance caused losses worth tens of millions of dollars. On X last week, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces were seeking to exploit Starlink problems because Ukrainian interceptor drones rely on the connection, among other uses.

Officials and lawmakers respond

President Trump said Monday he was seeking information about who ordered the slowdown. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the Pentagon had not manipulated the service. A senior Pentagon official told CBS News on Monday that Department of War policy on intelligence sharing and capabilities enabled for European countries to support Ukraine had not changed. Musk did not respond to a request for comment, and CBS News contacted the White House and Pentagon for comment.

A bipartisan group of senators asked the Defense Department’s internal watchdog to investigate last week. Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday that limits on Ukraine’s Starshield service remained.

Wider dispute over Russia

Trump has argued that the war is driving up energy prices. Earlier this month, his administration waived restrictions on Russian diesel purchases in an effort to ease pressure on prices; Zelenskyy said the move could encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump also waived sanctions on Russia last week. The Russian government has not confirmed that it agreed to a ceasefire.