US and Western officials revealed that the order to restrict the use of SpaceX's Starshield satellite communication system, employed by the Ukrainian military for battlefield communications and drone operations, originated from within the White House amid rising tensions between the US government and Ukraine over US pressure on Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Two US officials and one Western official familiar with the matter disclosed that the directive to limit the use of the Starshield satellite communication system, which the Ukrainian military uses for battlefield communications and drone support, originated from inside the White House. Senior US Department of Defense executives were informed of the need to reduce or restrict SpaceX’s Starshield services to the Ukrainian military.
However, the anonymous source did not specify which White House official made the decision or who is responsible for implementing the order. The US Department of Defense is the largest customer of Starshield, a satellite service developed specifically for military use and a security-enhanced version of the Starlink system.
Ukrainian officials stated this week that the military-grade Starlink receiver devices cease functioning when installed on objects moving at high speeds, impacting Ukrainian drone operations that rely on these systems for navigation during missions over Ukrainian territory.
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry official disclosed on Thursday that the receivers have resumed working while in motion but now only support speeds up to 100 miles per hour, approximately 160 kilometers per hour.
The temporary restrictions on this critical communication system for the Ukrainian military occurred as former US President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, blaming such strikes for driving up energy prices and negatively impacting the Republican Party’s chances in the US midterm elections in November.
Experts note, however, that the primary cause of rising energy costs stems from the conflict between the US and Israel against Iran, which has led to attacks on energy infrastructure and the partial closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key energy transit route.
When asked to comment on the Starshield usage restrictions, a senior US official stated, “The president never requested such an action.”
The White House did not respond to questions about whether other government officials requested the system’s usage limitations. SpaceX, the US Department of Defense, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington also did not respond to requests for comment.
Starshield was developed by SpaceX to serve government agencies and national security entities, particularly the US Department of Defense, using the Starlink satellite network as its primary infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials reported that the restrictions have made it more difficult to attack Russian forces and their supply lines in occupied territories, while also slowing the operation of counter-drone units that intercept incoming Russian "Shahed" drones.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated on platform X on Wednesday that since Starshield is a US government-owned and controlled asset, decisions regarding speed or usage restrictions fall under the authority of the US military or the president.
US-Ukraine relations have deteriorated in recent days following a meeting on 9 October in Miami, Florida, attended by representatives from the US, Ukraine, Europe, and the World Bank.
A source familiar with the meeting details revealed that Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, took a tough stance against Ukraine, informing Ukrainian officials that the US was displeased with Ukraine’s continued attacks on Russian oil refineries despite multiple US requests to cease such actions.
The US delegation also explained the rationale behind the US government's decision to enter a diesel oil purchase agreement with Russia, stating that the White House hopes the deal will encourage Russia to adopt a softer position in peace negotiations.
Under the agreement, Russia will supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel oil to the US and global markets. The deal has faced opposition from some US Congress members who argue that buying Russian oil funds Moscow’s war efforts and reduces incentives for compromise to end the conflict.
In the days following, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump exchanged criticisms, with Zelensky calling the US decision to make the diesel deal with Russia "weak," while Trump called for Ukraine to hold elections and for Zelensky to be removed from office.
Earlier, US officials threatened to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine about Russian missile launches, which Ukraine uses to prepare and intercept attacks. However, Trump stated on Tuesday that the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official revealed that after Starshield access was restricted, Ukraine contacted senior officials at the White House, US State Department, and Department of Defense on Tuesday and Wednesday seeking clarification and was informed that the decision came from the White House.
The US Department of Defense has spent billions of dollars on Starlink and Starshield services, and has procured Starshield satellites for specific missions, including missile warning communications and surveillance satellite networks for the US National Reconnaissance Office, according to a 2024 Reuters report.