Order to restrict Starshield operation for Ukraine originated from White House – Reuters
The US Department of Defense leadership was notified of the need to slow the operation of SpaceX's Starshield system for the Ukrainian military.
Reuters reported the development, citing two US officials and a Western official, Rubryka writes.
However, the US officials did not specify who in the White House made the decision or who was responsible for its execution.
Starshield represents a specialized military and intelligence division of SpaceX built on the technology of the civilian Starlink satellite network. Unlike the civilian service, SpaceX designed Starshield specifically for the needs of the US government, the Pentagon, and American intelligence agencies.
According to the outlet's sources, the decision to temporarily restrict this communication system—critical for Ukraine—came after US President Donald Trump began demanding that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
When the news agency asked the US side to comment on the order restricting Starshield operations, a senior official denied that Trump was involved in the decision.
"The president never made such a request," the official stated.
At the same time, the White House did not respond to questions regarding whether other representatives of the US administration could have issued the request.
Following the unexpected restriction of Starshield operations on Tuesday and Wednesday, senior Ukrainian officials called the White House, the Department of State, and the US Department of Defense to clarify the reasons for the move. According to a Ukrainian official, officials in Washington informed Kyiv that the White House made the decision.
Ukrainian officials and military personnel note that the implemented restrictions significantly complicated the execution of strike missions against Russian forces, as well as logistics in occupied territories. Furthermore, they limited the Ukrainian military's ability to deploy interceptor drones to destroy Russian Shahed-type UAVs.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk commented on the situation on the social media platform X, stating that Starshield belongs to the US government and remains under its control. According to Musk, the Pentagon or President Donald Trump determines any restrictions regarding the system's operating speed or usage.
Background
Earlier, Rubryka reported that US Republican Senator Thom Tillis is initiating an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the satellite communication problems with Starlink systems encountered by Ukraine's armed forces. He intends to request that the Department of Defense Inspector General conduct an inquiry and submit a report to Congress and the American public.
Additionally, US lawmakers visiting Kyiv on October 9 advocated expanding Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite system's capabilities. In their view, this would help increase pressure on Russia, strengthen Ukraine's frontline positions, and create additional leverage during future peace negotiations.
Specifically, Republican Dan Crenshaw stated that he personally supports efforts to convince SpaceX owner Elon Musk to expand Starlink capabilities for Ukraine.
White House says it does not control SpaceX amid Starlink restrictions in Ukraine – Axios
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