Musk points to US government over reported Ukraine Starshield disruptions

SpaceX boss Elon Musk attributed reported disruptions affecting Ukraine’s Starshield satellite communications to the US government rather than his company, in remarks reported on October 14, 2026. He said Washington controls the system and that limits on its operation are determined by the US military and ultimately President Donald Trump.¹²

Who controls the system

Musk’s comments placed responsibility for any restrictions with the government that owns Starshield, rather than SpaceX, which designed it. France 24 also reported his position on October 15, alongside reports of disruptions to Ukraine’s use of the satellite communications system.¹²

According to The Straits Times, Ukraine depends on Starshield for communications on the battlefield and also uses Starlink, another SpaceX-designed system. The newspaper reported that Ukraine is not permitted to use Starlink for offensive operations, distinguishing its authorised use from the military communications at issue in the Starshield dispute.¹

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defence minister, said Starlink connectivity was being restored for use at movement speeds of up to 160kmh, The Straits Times reported on October 14. He also urged the removal of Starshield’s speed limit, saying that “removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defence”.¹

Ukrainian defence officials suggested that Washington was responsible for slower connections on some internet terminals used by the military, according to The Straits Times. That account attributed the suggestion to the officials; Musk’s remarks separately identified the US authorities as the decision-makers for any speed or usage limits.¹²

Congressional pressure and intelligence concerns

Opposition Democrats in both chambers of Congress criticised the Trump administration over the reported connection interruptions, The Straits Times said. They alleged that the restrictions helped Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded an immediate end to restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield access.¹

Shaheen also urged Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to inform Congress about any changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine. According to The Straits Times, the US defence department must notify lawmakers if that sharing is suspended or reduced. Republican senator Tom Tillis also expressed concern about support for Ukrainian sovereignty.¹

The newspaper separately reported that a senior official in Kyiv said the United States had threatened to withhold intelligence on Russian missile launches. Ukraine accused Washington of helping Russia by failing to provide warnings of incoming strikes, it reported. Trump denied that he had stopped providing the missile-launch intelligence.¹