President Zelensky today revealed 'evidence' that the US jammed Ukraine's military Starlink system – after Elon Musk was blamed for slowing down the internet that powers Kyiv's drones.
Starlink satellites, operated by Mr Musk's SpaceX, provide high-speed internet to Ukraine's military which allow it to defend itself against Russian drone and missile attacks.
Mr Zelensky said that problems with Starlink continued on Saturday and that he could prove that the technology was running at slower speeds inside Ukraine compared to inside the European Union (EU).
Ukrainian drones dependent on Starlink flew at speeds of 180km/h (112mph) within the EU but cut out when flying faster than 160km/h (99mph) inside Ukraine, Mr Zelensky told reporters over WhatsApp.
He said: 'The conclusion is clear: the restrictions are in effect within Ukraine but do not apply within the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation.'
Donald Trump on Friday denied slowing down internet speeds over Ukraine.
The US president said: 'We didn't do that. We didn't slow it down at all.'
On Friday, it was revealed that Mr Musk had encouraged Donald Trump to introduce speed limits, to which the US president 'agreed'.
President Zelensky today revealed 'evidence' that the US jammed Ukraine's military Starlink system
Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine, inhibiting its ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks, sources have claimed
The tech billionaire and SpaceX founder publicly blamed the US president for the chaos over the decision to restrict Kyiv's access to the satellite system.
But sources familiar with the discussions have now suggested Mr Trump 'agreed' with Mr Musk's idea to introduce speed limits on Starshield – the military-grade version of the satellite communications system, according to The Telegraph.
With Starlink, Ukrainian drones can stay connected to operators over long distances and counter Russian drones.
But on Tuesday night, Starlink suddenly and unexpectedly restricted the speed at which drones could fly while maintaining internet connection.
Connectivity had been restored by Wednesday evening, but Mr Zelensky said that there were still problems with it today, according to The Times.
The Ukrainian military had been forced to suspend operations because of the speed restrictions and Mr Zelensky said that the country's air defences were being undermined.
Some 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities were targeted on Friday night.
More than 320 'shahed' drones, as well as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and munitions were fired from Russia overnight, Mr Zelensky said.
It comes amid a deterioration of relations between the Ukrainian and US presidents.
An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up Starlink satellite internet system
Donald Trump on Friday denied slowing down internet speeds over Ukraine
Donald Trump passed an executive order late last night blocking the sanctions on oil and gas exports which were due to take effect tomorrow, a move the Kremlin hailed as 'historic'.
The order was made just one week after making a deal with Putin to stock the US with over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel.
Mr Zelensky criticised the move in social media posts on Saturday. He said: 'The decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me. And it definitely helps only the Russians. It only fuels their satisfaction and their desire to keep killing people. This certainly does not stop the war.'
He added: 'A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin — all of this only encourages him to keep attacking.'
Mr Trump's administration had earlier warned Kyiv's officials that if Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries were not halted Washington would retaliate by shutting off some of its support for Ukraine.
Mr Trump also suggested Mr Zelensky should be replaced as Ukrainian president, claiming he is 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'.
Mr Trump has also refused to blame Putin for starting the Ukraine war – putting him at loggerheads with Britain and other allies over the conflict.
When asked whether he had forgotten that it was the Russian leader who started the war, Mr Trump did not respond directly and implied it was not straightforward.
He said: 'I know the details, OK, and at some point I'll release the details.
'But I don't care anything except for one. I want that war ended.'
And while the US-Ukraine relationship frays, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that Britain will join Germany and France in a major military exercise in Poland next month.
Speaking in Washington DC, Mr Streeting said: 'Ukraine is the front line for freedom everywhere, and it's absolutely vital that they prevail against Putin's aggression.
'We're planning for the peace and freedom we want to see through our leadership of the coalition of the willing.'
The drill is aimed at ensuring Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the war is over.
With 1,500 troops taking part, the exercise will simulate moving troops and supplies, such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a coalition of the willing summit in July.
Meanwhile, Russia's bombardment of Ukraine continues, with Kyiv reporting further strikes on Friday and this morning, wounding civilians, damaging homes and disrupting power supplies.
Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine's energy grid in the lead-up to winter in an effort to 'weaponise' freezing temperatures, and officials in Kyiv have warned Moscow is stockpiling missiles for more attacks over the coming months.