Ukraine is urgently pressing Elon Musk's SpaceX to reverse new restrictions on its Starshield satellite service that Kyiv warns could hamper its ability to intercept Russian attack drones and conduct other military operations, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The restrictions were imposed without advance warning, despite Ukraine relying on the service under arrangements contracted through the U.S. government that are meant to last until May 15, 2027. Ukrainian forces discovered the change overnight after experiencing connectivity problems and contacting SpaceX customer support. They were told Starshield service would be restricted on platforms traveling at speeds of 100 miles per hour or higher.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on defense technology, warned that the change could particularly hamper Ukraine's efforts to intercept Russia's newer, jet-powered Shahed attack drones, saying it threatened «one of our few chances to defend the country» against them.
Ukrainian forces have also begun documenting effects on the battlefield. Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps said one unmanned systems unit on the Huliaipole front had already been forced to cancel missions because of connectivity problems. The unit reported interruptions even while drones were traveling below the stated 100 mph threshold.
Starshield is SpaceX's national security satellite service, based on technology developed for the company's better-known Starlink network. The change could affect Ukrainian drones, aircraft and helicopters that rely on Starshield connectivity while moving at high speeds, including drones used to intercept Russian Shahed attacks. Ukrainian units are already reporting performance problems at speeds below the stated threshold, according to the source.
Ukraine has contacted SpaceX seeking an explanation for the restrictions and asking the company to restore its previous service capabilities. They said Ukraine communicated to Musk's company that the restriction had not previously applied to its terminals and was creating significant operational problems for Ukrainian forces in its continued war with Russia. Kyiv also noted that its current service arrangements, contracted through the U.S. government until May 15, 2027, cover land-based mobile and fixed uses, including mobile platforms.
SpaceX had not responded to Ukraine's request as of Wednesday morning, the source said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon, White House and SpaceX for details. There has been no public confirmation that Musk personally ordered the restrictions.
The Pentagon, through Space Force, contracts with SpaceX for Starshield services, giving the department a direct role in administering the government's agreements with the company. But the existence of a Pentagon contract does not establish whether the military or SpaceX has authority over specific operational restrictions, including the new speed limit.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticized Musk over the restrictions. «Hey @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you,» he wrote on X. Poland pays for more than 2,900 Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine. Sikorski and Musk clashed last year over Ukraine's dependence on Starlink, with Musk telling Sikorski, «Be quiet, small man.»
The development comes as Ukraine faces continued Russian missile attacks and growing uncertainty about U.S. support. Ukrainian officials fear that Washington's backing for the war effort is eroding, especially after President Donald Trump struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel despite international sanctions. Trump has also sharply criticized Zelenskyy, saying Saturday that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president and blaming him for high diesel prices in the U.S.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine did not receive the usual advance warning from its Western partners about devastating Russian ballistic missiles, triggering fears that Ukraine is being starved of vital intelligence, especially from the U.S. He did not specify which partners he was referring to. Trump has said the U.S. has not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
The restrictions on Starshield add to the operational pressures on Ukrainian forces, who rely on satellite connectivity for drone operations, communications and coordination. The speed limit could undermine their ability to intercept Russian drones, a key part of Ukraine's air defense. As of Wednesday, SpaceX had not responded to Ukraine's request, leaving the situation unresolved.