Starlink restrictions in Ukraine reportedly disrupted several Ukrainian military missions overnight, raising concerns about the country’s reliance on American satellite communications as relations between Kyiv and Washington remain strained.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on military technology who is known as “Flash”, said SpaceX introduced a speed limit affecting satellite terminals without warning Ukrainian forces. The change reportedly interrupted several missions, highlighting the operational risks associated with relying on privately operated communications technology during a war.
According to Beskrestnov, the reported restriction affected terminals moving at speeds above approximately 160 kilometres per hour. The measure appeared to concern military communications, including the StarShield service, although the precise scope of the change and its technical implementation remained unclear.
“Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation and this led to the disruption of several missions,” Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko also reported the disruption. He suggested that the restriction could have been introduced at the request of US President Donald Trump’s administration. However, no independent evidence established that the White House had ordered the change, and the reason for the reported restriction was not immediately clear.
The incident has renewed concerns about Ukraine’s dependence on American technology and whether access to essential communications systems could become a source of political leverage. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has played an important role in maintaining connectivity in Ukraine during the war, including in areas where conventional communications infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted.
❗️Last night, the operation of Starlink terminals in Ukraine was restricted.
Connectivity began to drop when moving at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. As a result, a number of critical missions were disrupted.SpaceX likely took these measures at the request of the Trump administration. Also last night, when Kyiv was attacked by ballistic missiles, Ukraine did not receive intelligence regarding their launch— a failure that could have led to higher casualties.
Ukraine did not attack Russian oil refineries, yet Trump has already begun imposing sanctions on my country. Meanwhile, sanctions against Russia have been eased.
— Serhii Sternenko (@sternenko) October 14, 2026
The reported restrictions emerged amid broader concerns about the future of US support for Ukraine. Media reports have suggested that the Trump administration warned intelligence cooperation could be curtailed unless Kyiv halted strikes on Russian oil refineries. Washington has denied suspending intelligence-sharing, while Ukrainian officials have maintained that cooperation continues.
The timing has also drawn attention because of recent public criticism of Zelenskyy by Musk, whose company operates Starlink. On Saturday, Musk responded to a White House video in which Trump criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities by writing on X: “Zelenskyy has gone too far.”
The comment came during a period of worsening relations between Washington and Kyiv. The dispute has included Trump’s reported agreement with Moscow to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and his demands that Ukraine suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. However, no evidence has established a connection between Musk’s remarks, the diplomatic dispute and the reported Starlink restrictions.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure despite Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received no advance warning from its partners before Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv for a second consecutive night.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against Kyiv, the surrounding region and Kharkiv overnight. He said the attacks damaged 26 electricity facilities and four oil and gas installations, leaving at least 600,000 people without power.
Zelenskyy accused Moscow of deliberately targeting infrastructure that he said was covered by the ceasefire announced by Trump.
“Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States,” he wrote on X.
Despite the growing tensions with Washington, Zelenskyy called on Trump and other international partners to respond with stronger measures against Russia. He urged the United States to impose tougher sanctions and provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missile interceptors to strengthen its air defences.
“We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond and to respond forcefully,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The reported Starlink disruption, the uncertainty surrounding intelligence-sharing and the continued Russian attacks highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in maintaining its military capabilities while depending on external support. Satellite communications, intelligence and air defence systems remain important to its ability to coordinate operations and protect critical infrastructure. Any sustained interruption to these capabilities could create additional operational difficulties, although the full impact of the latest reported restrictions has not been independently established.
