Ukrainian forces reported restrictions on the military use of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system on Wednesday, saying an overnight change disrupted several drone missions amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
The restrictions appear to affect StarShield, the military-grade version of the satellite communications service, with connectivity reportedly cut when terminals move at speeds exceeding approximately 160 kilometres per hour.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on military technology, known as "Flash", said SpaceX had introduced the speed limit overnight without notifying Ukrainian forces.
"Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation and this led to the disruption of several missions," Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko also reported the disruption, suggesting that SpaceX might have introduced the restrictions at the request of US President Donald Trump's administration.
There is, however, no independent evidence that the White House ordered the change, and the reason for the reported restrictions remains unclear.
Another potential source of US leverage?
The development has raised concerns that access to critical American satellite communications could become another source of leverage over Kyiv, alongside reported US threats to suspend intelligence-sharing unless Ukraine halts its strikes on Russian oil refineries.
According to media reports the Trump administration warned that intelligence cooperation could be curtailed, although Washington has denied suspending intelligence-sharing and Ukrainian officials maintain that cooperation continues.
The timing has also attracted attention following public criticism of Zelenskyy by Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of SpaceX, which operates Starlink.
On Saturday Musk responded to a White House video of Trump criticising Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, writing on X: "Zelenskyy has gone too far."
The comment came amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv, following Trump's agreement with Moscow to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and his demands that Ukraine suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
No connection has been established, however, between the reported Starlink restrictions and the diplomatic dispute.
Russia continues strikes despite Trump's 'energy ceasefire'
The reports come amid fresh questions over the reliability of advance intelligence-sharing after Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received no warning from its partners ahead of Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv for a second consecutive night.
The attacks continued despite Trump's declaration of an energy ceasefire, which Kyiv says Moscow has failed to observe.
According to Zelenskyy Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against Kyiv, the surrounding region and Kharkiv overnight, damaging 26 electricity facilities and four oil and gas installations and leaving at least 600,000 people without power.
"Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States," Zelenskyy wrote on X, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by Trump.
Despite the growing tensions with Washington Zelenskyy appealed directly to the US president to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and provide additional Patriot missile interceptors.
"We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond and to respond forcefully," he wrote.
The latest developments underscore Ukraine's continued dependence on American intelligence, military technology and air defence support at a time when relations with Washington have become increasingly uncertain.