Overnight Starlink restrictions disrupt Ukrainian military operations amid rising US tensions

Euronews and Ukrainian National News reported that Ukrainian military forces experienced restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink satellite system overnight. Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed the restrictions, which Euronews reported disrupted several drone missions. Euronews noted that the restrictions appeared to affect StarShield terminals when they moved faster than approximately 160 kilometres per hour. [1][8]

The restrictions raise concerns that access to American satellite communications could be used as political leverage over Ukraine, Euronews reported. Politico previously reported that Donald Trump might cut off Ukraine's access to intelligence and Starlink, while NPR reported that the Trump administration warned Ukraine it could cut off intelligence sharing. [1][7][9]

The development comes amid escalating political friction between Kyiv and Washington. According to PBS NewsHour and AP News, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine received no early intelligence from partners regarding five Russian ballistic missiles that struck civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. PBS NewsHour reported that Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that the United States has not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. [1][2][3]

Allies also gathered in Poland following reports of Starlink sabotage and a diesel deal involving Trump, DW reported. Ed Miliband of the United Kingdom called the Russian diesel deal a very difficult few days diplomatically, while Johann Wadephul of Germany stated that hybrid plots showed Europe was in Russia's crosshairs, according to DW. [4][5][6]