UKRAINE has accused the United States of indirectly helping Russia by failing to warn Kyiv of an impending missile barrage and restricting satellite internet services used by its military to counter Russian attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US billionaire Elon Musk to restore Starlink services, alleging that changes to the satellite internet system had reduced his forces’ ability to respond quickly to incoming threats.
“I don’t know, but we are asking for the service to be restored,” AFP cited Zelensky telling British journalist Piers Morgan on Wednesday.
Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov later said Starlink operations at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour were being restored.
“Attack drones and interceptor drones should be able to fly again,” he said.
Musk rejected claims that any restrictions were the responsibility of his company, SpaceX, saying decisions on military satellite services rested with the US government.
He said Ukraine used both Starshield, a military communications system controlled by the US government, and the civilian Starlink network, which Ukraine also used but was not authorised for offensive operations.
“Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. Any restrictions on speed or usage are determined by the US military and ultimately by POTUS,” Musk said, referring to US President Donald Trump.
Zelensky also expressed frustration with Trump when asked whether he felt betrayed after the US president announced a diesel supply agreement with Moscow, which remains subject to heavy US sanctions.
“It hurts when President Trump chooses one side instead of ours.
“I think his advisers are wrong. I don’t know who is pushing him not to choose the right side. This is not the right side of history,” Zelensky said.
He had earlier described the failure of allies to warn Ukraine of a major wave of attacks from late the previous night into the early hours as wholly unfair.
Kyiv also accused Russia of deliberately violating an energy ceasefire that it said Trump had announced unilaterally.
A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that Washington had threatened in recent days to suspend intelligence-sharing on Russian missile launches, information Ukraine uses to help repel attacks.
Trump denied the allegation earlier this week.
Ukrainian defence officials also suggested Washington was behind a slowdown affecting some internet terminals used by troops to support attacks on Russian-occupied territory and operate interceptor drones.
“Clearly, they (the US) are helping Russia for some reason,” the senior official said.
Zelensky adviser Sergiy Beskrestnov said the attacks and Starlink restrictions were not merely coincidental.
“Through their actions, our allies are denying us one of the few opportunities we have to defend the country against jet-powered Shahed drones,” he wrote on Telegram. - October 15, 2026