US restricts Starshield satellite system used by Ukraine in combat

The White House has ordered the US Defense Department to restrict the operations of the "Starshield" satellite system used by Ukrainian armed forces on the front lines and for drone attacks on Russian territory. Officials said the Defense Department leadership was instructed to slow down services provided by billionaire Elon Musk's company "SpaceX Starshield" to Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials reported that Starshield terminals on drones stopped working, though they now reportedly function in motion at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. Four Republican senators have written to the Pentagon inspector general expressing concerns and urging an investigation into whether senior Defense Department officials were involved. President Donald Trump separately criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he is "not an easy person to work with" and accusing him of not helping to end the war. Trump also blamed his Democratic predecessors for Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale invasion. The administration is also considering easing sanctions on "shadow fleet" tankers linked to Russia and Iran to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.