Starlink throttling in Ukraine strains US ties and drone defenses

New reports indicate Elon Musk proposed slowing Starshield services for Ukraine to President Donald Trump, who allegedly agreed, with the Pentagon subsequently implementing the restrictions, according to the Telegraph citing four sources. The throttling limited Ukrainian drones to roughly 160 km/h, hindering their ability to intercept Russian drones and missiles traveling at least twice that speed. Musk and Trump have publicly denied responsibility, though European and Ukrainian sources contradict these denials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the restriction a dangerous surprise, though signals are reportedly being restored. The incident strains US-Ukraine relations amid tensions over strikes on Russian refineries, while Poland warns of European dependence on Musk's infrastructure.