Reuters: Order to Restrict Starshield for Ukraine Issued From White House

An order to restrict the satellite system used by Ukraine's military for communications and drone-related operations on the battlefield was issued from the White House. Reuters reports this, citing Western officials and informed sources.

According to the sources, the leadership of the US Department of Defense received instructions to restrict SpaceX's Starshield service intended for Ukrainian military personnel, specifically to reduce its operating speed.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials did not specify who made the decision in the White House or who was responsible for carrying out the order. The Pentagon is the largest client of Starshield, the military version of Starlink.

Ukrainian officials said this week that Starlink military-grade receivers in Ukraine stopped working when they were installed on fast-moving objects. This disrupted the operation of Ukrainian drones that use these receivers in their onboard navigation and control systems.

According to Ukrainian officials, the restrictions made it difficult to strike Russian forces and logistics in occupied territory. The operation of drones used to shoot down Russian Shahed-type drones was also disrupted.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that Starshield systems are owned by and subject to control of the US government, so any restriction on speed or use will be determined by the US military or the president.