Who is responsible for Starshield disruptions in Ukraine?
Ukraine has accused SpaceX of severely hindering its defense by limiting its Starlink and Starshield satellite communications systems, increasing its vulnerability to Russian attacks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pointing to the White House as the source of the order. The Trump administration denies involvement, with President Trump saying "I didn't do that" and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling reports of a White House role "categorically false." However, Elon Musk stated Starshield is "owned and controlled by the US government" and that limits are decided by the US military and ultimately the president, while also suggesting Starlink cannot be used for offensive military action. The disruption follows Trump's shift away from Ukraine and toward Russia, including delayed sanctions and pressure on Ukraine to concede. Some congressional Republicans are demanding investigations and accountability, with hearings and potential budget cuts threatened if those responsible are identified.