White House restricts Ukraine's access to key drone satellite system

The White House has ordered restrictions on Ukraine's access to a satellite system critical to its drone warfare, according to unnamed officials who spoke to Reuters. The directive mandates slowing the operation of SpaceX's Starshield service used by Ukrainian forces. The order, communicated to U.S. Department of Defense leadership, was not attributed to a specific White House official. Ukrainian forces reported satellite connection issues earlier this week, with Starlink receivers failing on fast-moving targets, hampering drone guidance. A Ukrainian defense ministry representative said Thursday the receivers work again, but only at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. Ukraine relies on both civilian Starlink and military Starshield, the latter vital for troop communications and drone control. Elon Musk suggested the restriction was a U.S. military and ultimately Trump decision. President Donald Trump has pressured Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and announced a ceasefire on energy targets, while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyi says the pause has ended.