Musk may have restricted Starlink to punish Ukraine for refinery strikes

Elon Musk may have sought to punish Ukraine for its strikes on Russian oil refineries by restricting Starlink connectivity for Ukrainian drones, according to The Economist. The decision to cut the link was reportedly made within a narrow circle around President Donald Trump, Musk, and envoy Steve Witkoff. No one in the Trump administration has admitted who made the decision, which appeared as a diplomatic warning. One official claims Musk contacted the White House only after the restrictions were imposed. In 2022, Musk used a similar mechanism to prevent a Ukrainian naval drone attack near Russian-occupied Crimea. Musk has often criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though his satellite link was crucial for Ukraine's survival early in the full-scale invasion. As of October 23, the situation with Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine remains unclear despite Trump's claim that all restrictions were lifted.