Rubio confirms Ukraine lost access to Starshield military satellite system

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Ukraine no longer has access to the Starshield military satellite communication system, while commercial Starlink services continue to operate. The decision affects Ukraine's ability to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory. Rubio stated that Starshield is a defense product used by U.S. armed forces, and Washington needs to understand Kyiv's intended use before granting access. Negotiations between the two countries are ongoing, as Ukraine had previously requested the system for deep-strike operations. Reuters reported that Ukrainian forces faced connectivity restrictions over recent days, allegedly ordered by the White House, though a spokesperson denied President Trump's involvement. Cybersecurity expert Andrei Masalovich noted Kyiv's broader intelligence-sharing gaps, citing two nights in mid-October when the U.S. withheld reconnaissance data.