Starlink access in Ukraine limited despite Trump claims satellite service restored, officials say in Europe
Service limits persist in Ukraine
Starshield restrictions have left many Ukrainian drones used for strikes behind the front lines inoperable, Ukrainian officials said. They also said the limits had hampered air defence systems used to stop Russian attacks.
The service was reported to be operating with a speed cap of 161km/hr, which was described as crippling key air defences. Trump said on Thursday that Starlink was running at full speed across Ukraine, but a European official told the Associated Press it was not fully functioning.
Dispute over who made decision
The Trump administration, officials in Kyiv and Elon Musk have traded accusations over responsibility for the limits. Musk has said Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, while continuing to deny responsibility for the changes.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump asked Musk to restore service, and separately reported that Musk ordered Starshield slowed. Its sources disagreed over whether the order was made in coordination with Trump. Republican senator John Cornyn said he did not believe Musk acted without at least the White House’s acquiescence.
Administration rejects Trump role
Secretary of state Marco Rubio said the president and others in the US system had not requested changes to the service. He described Starlink and Starshield as a private company run by Musk, not the president.
A separate view in the article says speed and usage limits are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. The speaker said the issue was less about Musk than about US policy toward Ukraine and Russia.
Attacks and diplomatic expulsions
Austria’s foreign ministry said it was expelling four more Russian diplomats over activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. The article also noted that Austria expelled three Russian embassy staff a few months earlier after a forest of antennae was detected at the Russian mission.
Key points
- Ukrainian officials say Starshield limits have disabled drones and hindered air defences.
- Trump said Starlink was back at full speed, but a European official disputed that account.
- The Trump administration, Musk and other officials disagree over who ordered the restrictions.
- Austria announced the expulsion of four Russian diplomats over activities incompatible with their status.