Ukraine and Washington dispute access to military satellite network
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. government is responsible for restrictions on Starshield and Starlink services used by his military. He warned that Washington aligning with Russia would be a historic error and said the limits have weakened Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian weapons. The disagreement follows public back-and-forth over the Pentagon-shared satellite system.
Zelenskyy told NBC’s Meet the Press that Washington was behind Kyiv’s reduced access to Starshield and Starlink, saying SpaceX acted after an American government message. He warned that U.S. alignment with Putin would be a historic mistake and said Starshield had not been fully restored despite public U.S. statements. In an X post, he said the limits hurt Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian weapons.
The Pentagon has shared Starshield, a military-grade satellite network, with Ukraine since 2024 at a cost of billions. Musk said the U.S. government controls the system and that usage or speed limits are set by the military and ultimately the president. Bipartisan senators want the Defense Department inspector general to examine the disruption.
The dispute may affect Ukrainian troops and civilians who depend on satellite links for frontline supplies, communications, and intercepting Russian attacks. If access remains limited, Ukraine’s defensive capacity could weaken, potentially increasing risks to civilians. The disagreement may also shape public trust in U.S. commitments and in the role private technology firms play during conflicts. Lawmakers and allied governments could face pressure to clarify who controls such systems and how decisions are reviewed.