Trump denied ordering the restriction of Starshield's operation in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump stated that he had not given instructions to restrict the operation of Starshield, the military service package of Starlink used by Ukraine. He added that he did not think Elon Musk had made such a decision either. However, information published by international media regarding the initiator of the restrictions remains contradictory.
Trump denied ordering the restriction of Starshield's operation in Ukraine
"I don't know if someone did it. It wasn't me," the US president said. He added that he learned about the restrictions from the morning news and that, according to the information he had, the system was working as before.
Elon Musk, on October 14, in response to a post on the X social network by former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, stated that decisions regarding the restriction of Starshield's operation are made by the US military, and ultimately by the president. Fedorov had thanked him for the gradual restoration of the system's performance.
On October 16, citing four sources, The Telegraph wrote that the idea of restricting Starshield's capabilities in Ukraine was suggested to Trump by Musk. One of the sources claimed that the president approved the proposal, after which the Pentagon implemented the restrictions.
According to the newspaper, the speed limit for using the system in motion is approximately 160 kilometers per hour. This is not a restriction on internet data transfer speed, but a speed limit on the device on which the terminal is installed. The publication noted that such a limit severely restricts the capabilities of devices used to intercept fast-flying Russian jet drones and missiles.
However, reports about who made the decision are contradictory. While Reuters sources said the instruction came from the White House, an American official interviewed by AFP stated that Trump did not give such an order.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, restrictions on Starshield's operation appeared on the night of October 14, complicating the operation of unmanned systems and logistics. On October 15, the ministry reported that the operation of terminals in field conditions had been restored.
A high-ranking Ukrainian official who spoke to DW on condition of anonymity said that Kyiv had not received an explanation from the US regarding the restrictions. According to him, Ukraine assesses this situation as a signal that restrictions could be introduced again in the future.