Symbolic imageKyiv says Starlink curbs and missing US warnings signal a political turn
SpaceX restricted military Starlink service in Ukraine without warning, Kyiv says, disrupting drone missions. Zelensky says Trump has taken a side that is not Ukraine's.
Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said on Wednesday, 14 October, that SpaceX had limited a military-grade version of Starlink and that Ukrainian forces got no warning, which disrupted several missions. He called the timing no coincidence and tied it to the current political situation. Ukrainska Pravda, cited by Meduza, reported that the curbs hit Starshield, the faster version used by drone operators, and a commander sent a video of two drones losing their connection. Ukrainian officials fear the company acted at Donald Trump's request, according to the Jerusalem Post; this is unconfirmed.
No warning of missile strikes
Zelensky said Ukraine received no alert about incoming Russian strikes, for the second time. Meduza, citing Politico, reports that Washington blamed poor weather for not sharing intelligence. Trump said on Tuesday that the US is sharing intel. The Financial Times reported last week that Washington threatened to halt sharing and block arms deliveries unless Kyiv stopped hitting Russian oil refineries.
Zelensky feels betrayed
Asked by Piers Morgan whether he felt betrayed, Zelensky answered "Yes, but it's a little bit more complicated". He said Trump "took a side, and it's not our side" and called Musk's decision a mistake that will cost lives. Zelensky said the energy truce Trump announced after his 10 October diesel agreement with Putin "was news" to him. Reuters reports that Poland's Sikorski asked Musk whether he is playing politics with Starlink.