Zelensky Says US Deliberately Restricted Starlink as US Lawmakers Condemn Shutdown

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US and Elon Musk’s SpaceX deliberately restricted Starlink satellite communications during massive Russian attacks on Ukraine, rejecting explanations that the disruption was merely a technical failure.

In an exclusive interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Zelensky said the restrictions undermined Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones, defend its energy infrastructure and protect civilians.

“We are professionals. We understand what’s going on. If you are losing the speed of Starlink, we understand what’s going on. So they switched off. That’s their decision,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president said the disruption began around 1 a.m., as Russia launched another wave of missiles and drones against Ukraine.

“I’m sure that they knew what they did. Absolutely. Because it was 1 a.m.,” he said when Morgan asked whether the restrictions were intentional.

Zelensky’s statements came as US lawmakers from both parties condemned the Starlink restrictions, warning that disruptions to critical communications and intelligence could endanger Ukrainian civilians and benefit Russia.

‘People are dying because of his decision’

Zelensky said Ukrainian forces immediately contacted SpaceX, American military commanders and other US partners after discovering the overnight disruptions.

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Starlink is being restored at up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), Ukraine’s former defense minister Fedorov said, as the UK fast-tracks missiles against jet-powered Shaheds.

American officials had attributed the intelligence-sharing problems to technical difficulties, Zelensky said, but the disruptions reportedly continued during subsequent attacks.

Starlink, meanwhile, plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense against Russian Shahed drones, including interceptor drones that use satellite communications to reach incoming targets.

“It’s not about just attack. As I said, we didn’t attack their energy. It’s not about attack. It’s also about defending the lives,” Zelensky told Morgan.

Asked whether he was angry with Musk, Zelensky described the decision as a serious mistake.

“I don’t know, him or somebody pushed him to ... I don’t know really,” he said.

He nevertheless warned of the consequences.

“People are dying because of his decision,” Zelensky said, cautioning that further casualties could follow if Russian attacks continued while Starlink remained restricted.

He appealed directly for the restoration of normal service.

“I hope that it’s a mistake, maybe huge technical problem, I don’t know, but we are asking ... to switch on,” he said.

US lawmakers condemn restrictions as potentially aiding Russia

The tightening of Ukraine’s satellite communications access drew bipartisan criticism in Washington, with lawmakers questioning the consequences of limiting critical defensive capabilities during active Russian attacks.

The Congressional Ukraine Caucus, whose co-chairs include Democratic Representatives Marcy Kaptur and Mike Quigley and Republican Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Joe Wilson, issued a joint warning.

“We are alarmed by reports from Ukraine that US intelligence and Starlink support are being withheld, putting innocent civilians and American citizens in Ukraine at the mercy of Russian attacks,” the lawmakers said.

The caucus said Washington must continue providing intelligence to protect civilians and stressed that US allies pay for Ukraine’s Starlink access.

“Restrictions that put civilians in harm’s way are unconscionable and will not be accepted by Congress,” the lawmakers declared.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina also publicly challenged Musk, warning that intentionally degrading Ukraine’s ability to defend itself could be construed as helping a mass murderer.

Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized the administration’s handling of intelligence-sharing and Starlink access, arguing that reducing such support effectively aided Russia’s invasion and its attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Their objections underscored concern among Ukraine’s Republican supporters that the restrictions could weaken Kyiv’s defensive capabilities at a critical moment.

Democratic lawmakers also raised questions about the humanitarian and strategic consequences of restricting systems on which Ukrainian troops and civilians depend.

Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland issued one of the strongest statements, warning that the restrictions could leave more Ukrainian civilians exposed to Russian attacks.

In an official statement, Hoyer said that if Trump administration officials were involved, it would represent a “heinous act of betrayal” of Ukraine and a fellow democracy under attack.

He called for full Starlink access to be restored, arguing that Washington should help Ukraine win rather than tip the scales in Putin’s favor.

European allies also joined the criticism.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confronted Musk on X, questioning whether the billionaire was using satellite communications as a political instrument.

“Hey, big man, are you playing politics with your products again?” Sikorski wrote, warning that European customers were watching.

Musk points to US military and Trump

Musk responded by distinguishing between commercial Starlink and Starshield, the military-grade satellite service.

“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk wrote on X.

He said decisions about operational limits were ultimately made by the US military and the president.

Musk maintained that commercial Starlink service could be used for civilian and defensive purposes but should not support offensive military operations.

A senior US official, however, told Axios that the Trump administration had not been involved in imposing the restrictions. Ukrainian officials remained suspicious that the move was connected to Washington’s pressure on Kyiv to halt strikes against Russian oil facilities.

The conflicting accounts left unanswered who authorized the restrictions, and why they were introduced without warning.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported Wednesday evening that Starlink connectivity was being restored at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, although restrictions on the military-grade Starshield system remained in place.