White House orders slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield satellite service

The White House ordered a slowdown of Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starshield military satellite service, disrupting Ukrainian drone operations and military missions, according to Reuters. Two US officials and a Western official said senior Pentagon leaders received instructions to restrict the service, though the specific White House official who issued the order was not identified. Ukrainian officials confirmed the restrictions affected drone navigation and guidance, complicating attacks on Russian forces and slowing interceptor drones used against Russian Shahed drones. The move comes as President Donald Trump pressures Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he links to rising energy prices ahead of November midterm elections. A senior US official denied the president made such a request, while SpaceX said Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Tensions have deepened following an October 9 Miami meeting where US representatives conveyed frustration over Ukraine's continued refinery strikes.