White House Reportedly Restricts Ukraine’s Access to Musk’s Military Satellite Network

The White House has reportedly ordered restrictions on Starshield, SpaceX’s military-grade satellite communications service used by Ukraine, disrupting some battlefield communications and drone operations. The move comes amid growing tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Kyiv’s continued attacks on Russian oil refineries.

According to Reuters, two US officials and a Western official familiar with the matter said the order originated within the White House and was communicated to the US Department of Defense. However, the sources did not identify who issued the directive or who was responsible for implementing it.

Restrictions Disrupt Ukrainian Drone Operations

Ukrainian officials reported that military-grade satellite receivers stopped functioning properly when installed on fast-moving objects, affecting drones that rely on satellite connectivity for navigation and guidance.

The restrictions complicated Ukrainian strike missions against Russian forces and logistical targets in occupied territories. They also affected interceptor drones used to counter Russian Shahed attack drones.

A Ukrainian Defence Ministry source said on Thursday that the receivers were functioning again while in motion, but only at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, or approximately 160 kilometres per hour. The extent to which the restrictions continued to affect operations remained unclear.

Trump Pressures Kyiv Over Russian Refinery Strikes

The reported restrictions emerged as Trump increased pressure on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. The US president has blamed these strikes for contributing to rising energy prices ahead of the November midterm elections.

However, energy experts have attributed much of the recent increase in fuel costs to the US-Israeli war with Iran, disruptions to energy infrastructure and the reduced flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior US official told Reuters that Trump himself had not requested the restrictions. The White House did not respond to questions about whether another administration official had issued the order.

Starshield was developed by SpaceX for government and national security customers, particularly the US military. Although it uses the Starlink satellite constellation as its technological foundation, Starshield is designed specifically for defence and other government applications.

Musk Says US Government Controls Starshield Access

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk said that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. He stated that decisions about restrictions on speed or usage ultimately rest with the US military or the president.

SpaceX, the Pentagon and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported order.

US-Ukraine Relations Face Fresh Strain

Relations between Washington and Kyiv have deteriorated following a meeting involving US, Ukrainian and European representatives in Miami on October 9. According to people familiar with the discussions, US representatives expressed frustration over Ukraine’s continued attacks on Russian refineries despite repeated requests to halt them.

The disagreement has also extended to energy policy. Washington has announced a deal allowing Russia to supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel to US and international markets, a move criticised by some American lawmakers who argue that the arrangement could provide Moscow with additional revenue while its war against Ukraine continues.

Ukraine has also faced concerns over possible restrictions on US intelligence sharing, which helps its forces detect incoming Russian missile attacks. Trump has said that Washington continues to share intelligence with Kyiv.

The reported Starshield restrictions add another point of friction between the two countries, highlighting Ukraine’s reliance on US-controlled technology for military communications and the potential consequences of changes in American support.