Ukraine says Starlink still restricted after Trump says limits lifted

ByHafsa Khalil and Anastasiia Levchenko, Reporting fromKyiv. Updated 2 hours ago.

Key points

• The sources informed the BBC that instances of drones experiencing connection loss at speeds of 161km/h (100mph) were being recorded, hampering military operations.
• The networks employ 10, 000 satellites to provide connectivity, particularly in remote areas and on the battlefield.
• Ukrainian reports of a slowdown to the service came during a tense diplomatic row between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
• The Ukrainian defence ministry sources remarked the military was constantly monitoring the performance of both the Starlink and Starshield networks.
• The White House has since repeatedly denied deliberately placing limits on the network in Ukraine.

After Donald Trump stated limits had been reversed by Elon Musk who owns the satellite system, ukraine is still recording problems with the Starlink internet network, sources within the defence ministry say.

Notably, the sources informed the BBC that instances of drones experiencing connection loss at speeds of 161km/h (100mph) were being recorded, hampering military operations.

Meanwhile, the US president had denied instructing the tech billionaire to restrict connectivity to Starlink's military-grade counterpart, Starshield, before saying on Thursday that Musk had "put it back".

Asked on Friday, Trump remarked: "If there is a problem, I will get it straightened out."

Trump continued: "I have not spoken to him. I might have to, but I have not. I've heard it was fixed, but if it's not, I'll speak to him."

Musk previously remarked he was not behind the slowdown. It affected Ukraine's ability to apply attack drones and co-ordinate defensive operations.

Trump remarked to journalists he did not think the tech billionaire had too much power.

Notably, the Ukrainian defence ministry sources remarked the military was constantly monitoring the performance of both the Starlink and Starshield networks.

They continued that there was "currently no confirmation that these restrictions have been lifted".

Last week, Kyiv remarked uplink speeds to the low Earth orbit satellites had been restricted, affecting the speed at which drones could travel. Any drone travelling faster than 100mph lost its connection, authorities stated.

Shortly after, Musk remarked that Starshield. It ukraine uses for some of its operation, was controlled by the US military and suggested that the Pentagon could be behind the matters.

For context, the White House has since repeatedly denied deliberately placing limits on the network in Ukraine.

In a call with Trump on Friday evening, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham "underlined the importance for Ukraine to have full access to Starlink so they can continue to defend themselves against Russia's full-scale invasion", Downing Street remarked in an official note. Why is Starlink internet so significant on the battlefield in Ukraine?

Ukraine uses both the civilian service Starlink and the more secure Starshield, depending on what communications are needed.

Notably, the networks employ 10, 000 satellites to provide connectivity, particularly in remote areas and on the battlefield. As well as operate interceptor drones, starshield allows Ukrainian drone operators to see targets in real time.

Russia is not authorised to employ Starlink, so when Ukraine sends long-range missiles deep into Russia to hit oil refineries, the network does not work.

One Ukrainian soldier remarked there was "simply no alternative" to Starshield, adding that earlier in the week, connectivity had been cutting out when his unit had been travelling in a car at 80km/h (50 mph).

"I'll tell you this much: God forbid they shut it off completely – it would be an absolute catastrophe, " he informed the BBC. "We need a backup option for securing communications and internet."

Another soldier remarked they had reverted to the "proven algorithms" they employed before they had Starlink when it initially began playing up, but stressed that Ukrainian forces did need the network, citing its speed.

"Even one or two seconds is critical when we can transfer data and orders faster, " she remarked. "You can really feel that advantage on the battlefield."

Faced with midterm elections next month, Trump has waived some sanctions on Russia and agreed a accord to import Russian diesel for the US market – a move criticised by Ukraine and its European allies.

Trump remarked the strikes on Russian oil refineries. It kyiv states are crucial to stemming the main revenue source for Moscow's war effort, have pushed global rates higher.

While the attacks have had an impact on global fuel rates, rises seen this year have primarily been due to the Iran war.

Zelensky remarked the US had additionally threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, something Trump afterwards denied.

In practice, the row prompted a war of words between the two world leaders, with Trump suggesting it was time for Ukraine to obtain a new president and Zelensky implying Trump was not a real leader.

Earlier on Thursday – before Trump's comments – Zelensky had remarked the speed of the system had still not been restored fully.

"I am waiting to hear from US Secretary of State Rubio. He promised to obtain back to me with information within 48 hours or so."

Notably, the Wall Street Journal documented that Trump had informed Musk that he was frustrated the Starlink system's speeds were still capped, and that the system was working closer to normal after that conversation.

For now, ukraine says Starlink still restricted after Trump says limits lifted remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.