After reports of Starlink slowdown in Ukraine, Trump denies ordering limits, says he doesn’t know who decided
Reports point to Musk’s decision
The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk made the final call to cap connection speeds for Ukrainian forces, despite his claim that decisions about the military service belong to the US government and military. The report cited unnamed US officials and others familiar with the matter.
According to the Journal, the change left some offensive and interceptor drones nearly unusable. It said Musk spoke with Trump and senior administration officials beforehand, though some US officials described Musk as acting alone.
Speed cap affected drone flights
Ukrainian officials said the restriction applied to Starshield, a military offering that uses Starlink technology. In this context, speed refers to a drone’s flight speed, not the speed of its internet connection.
The Associated Press reported that terminals moving faster than 160 kph, or 100 mph, lost their data connection. As a result, affected drones had to fly more slowly, making them easier for Russian weapons to target or avoid.
Accounts of coordination differ
Musk wrote on October 14 that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, and that the military and ultimately the president decide any limits. He also said offensive military action should use Starshield rather than commercial Starlink.
CBS News reported that Musk had several discussions with administration officials and wanted to understand Trump’s position. Reuters, citing two US officials and a Western official, said the order came from inside the White House. The Journal later reported that SpaceX and White House representatives coordinated their messaging after Ukraine objected.
Trump says he wants answers
Trump told reporters on October 16 that he had not ordered the slowdown and had learned about it through the news. Asked again on Monday who was responsible, he said he did not know but wanted to find out.
Starlink and Starshield are sometimes used interchangeably by government officials discussing military operations, though Ukrainian officials have specifically objected to new Starshield restrictions. Musk’s role in satellite communications gives him significant influence in the war, where Ukraine has used both services.
Key points
- Trump denied ordering the restrictions and said he did not know who made the decision.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk imposed a speed cap affecting Starshield-connected Ukrainian drones.
- The reported limit cut connections for terminals moving faster than 160 kph, or 100 mph.
- Reports differ on whether Musk acted alone or consulted Trump and other officials beforehand.