Ukraine has been scrambling to find out what – or who – restricted its Starlink satellite internet system, disrupting drone attacks on Russian forces and risking undermining its air defences.
The restrictions cut communications with attack drones flying over 100 mph, while some Ukrainian operators lost connections at speeds as low as 40 mph.
The move could seriously jeopardise Ukraine’s recent progress in attacking Russia and frontline territorial gains.
A frontline fighter said: ‘This is Trump and Musk directly helping Putin, and selling us out.’
The overnight move led to angry intervention from Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, who accused the world’s richest man of playing political games with technology vital to Ukraine’s survival.
He posted on X: ‘Hey @elonmask, big man, are you playing politics with your products again?’
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But Musk wrote on X that the US government controls Starshield, adding: ‘Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president].’
Serhiy Beskrestnov, a military technology adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the changes had been imposed without warning.
‘Our defence forces received no prior warning of such a restriction, which led to the disruption of several missions,’ Beskrestnov said.
‘It is obvious that this action cannot be a coincidence and is linked to the current political situation.’
The restrictions apply to Ukraine’s use of Starshield, the military version of Starlink, to which Poland contributes £37 million annually.
Zelensky’s forces use it to control drones carrying out reconnaissance and strikes against Russian troops.
Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported that a commander supplied footage showing two drones losing their satellite connections and becoming unable to complete their missions.
Troops from Ukraine’s 7th Air Assault Brigade also reported communications failures affecting drone operations near Huliaipole, in Zaporizhzhia region.
Claims suggest the US is limiting intelligence-sharing with Kyiv to pressure Zelensky into a peace deal, amid fears it will benefit Putin.
Musk recently echoed Trump by criticising the Ukrainian leader over strikes on Russian oil refineries.
‘Zelensky has gone too far. I agree, time for Ukraine to get a new leader,’ he said.
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