Top Ukrainian diplomat says SpaceX satellite access is still restricted

Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine, according to multiple sources. The billionaire tech entrepreneur suggested introducing speed limits on the satellite system, which reportedly hampered Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks. One source confirmed that Trump "agreed" with Musk's proposal, leading to Pentagon execution of the slowdown on Starshield, a military-grade version of Starlink.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that these speed restrictions were disrupting early warning air defense systems, complicating efforts to repel Russian attacks. Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the decision, stating it had "real consequences" and resulted in civilian casualties, including children's deaths. Despite Trump’s claim that Musk fully restored access, Ukrainian officials report continued restricted access as of October 23.

The slowdown affected Ukraine’s drone operations on the front lines, leading to aborted missions and potential loss of technology to Russian forces. The decision has raised concerns about strategic myopia by undermining US support for allies and potentially encouraging other nations to develop competitors to SpaceX.