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Trump says he does not know who slowed Starshield in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump said he did not know who was responsible for reducing the speed of the Starshield satellite communications network in Ukraine, but claimed the restrictions were later lifted and the system resumed operating at its previous speed. He neither confirmed nor denied reports that he called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about the matter.

Key points

  • Trump said he did not make the decision to limit Starshield's speed in Ukraine and does not know who was responsible.
  • Trump said Starshield eventually resumed operating at its previous speed.
  • Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on October 24 that Starlink and Starshield had resumed working at their pre-restriction speed.
  • Starshield terminals lost connectivity while moving at speeds above 161 km/h during the disruptions in mid-October.
  • Ukraine's Ministry of Defence reported on October 15 that Starshield had resumed working while in motion.
  • Ukrainian officials continued to report speed restrictions after the announcement of the system's restoration.
  • Elon Musk said Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, while commercial Starlink is controlled by SpaceX.

Why it matters

The restrictions complicated the use of Ukrainian military drones, the interception of Russian drones, logistics and the execution of combat missions. The question of who authorised the slowdown and the role of the US president is significant for oversight of military communications systems used in Ukraine. Restoring the network's previous speed reduced the operational impact on Ukrainian forces.

What happened

Disruptions in Starlink and its military version, Starshield, emerged in Ukraine in mid-October. According to reports, Starshield terminals lost connectivity while moving at speeds above 161 km/h, and the restrictions hindered Ukrainian forces' use of drones, interception of Russian drones, logistics and combat missions. Ukraine's Ministry of Defence announced on October 15 that Starshield had resumed working while in motion, although Ukrainian officials continued to register speed restrictions afterwards. Zelensky confirmed on October 24 that both systems were again operating at their pre-restriction speed. Trump later said he did not know who had imposed the restrictions, denied making the decision and stated that the system had resumed its previous speed. He did not confirm or deny reports that he had called Musk to ask for the restrictions to be lifted.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian reporting focuses on the operational consequences of the restrictions for the military and on the incomplete restoration of the system following the official announcement that it had resumed working. Ukrainian officials continued to document speed limits after the restoration was announced.

How international sources describe it

International coverage centres on Trump's claims that he did not know who was responsible for the slowdown, his suggested influence as US president, and his refusal to confirm or deny a phone call with Musk. Attention is also drawn to the division of control: Starshield is controlled by the US government, while commercial Starlink is controlled by SpaceX.

Where reporting differs

Ukrainian officials continued to report speed restrictions after the announcement that Starshield had resumed working in motion, while Trump said the system was again operating at its previous speed.

Background

The disruptions in Starlink and Starshield emerged in Ukraine in mid-October. The Wall Street Journal reported on October 22 that Trump called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and asked him to lift the restrictions on Starshield, although Trump neither confirmed nor denied the report. Musk said Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, with restrictions decided by American military officials and the US president, while commercial Starlink is controlled by SpaceX.