Starlink restrictions disrupt Ukraine’s drones as Zelenskyy questions US support

Ukraine is demanding answers after sudden restrictions on a satellite system its military relies on to fight Russia, and President Zelensky is now openly questioning whether he can still count on the United States. Ukrainian officials say new speed limits on SpaceX satellite connections disrupted drone operations this week, including missions to shoot down incoming Russian drones. Some connections were restored Wednesday, but Ukraine says the restrictions are still preventing its drones from reaching the speeds they need, and the timing has raised suspicions in Kyiv. The problems followed President Trump's deal to buy diesel from Russia, despite sanctions aimed at cutting off money for Moscow's war. Trump has also criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities and suggested Zelensky should be replaced. During a visit to London Wednesday, Zelensky raised concerns about both the satellite restrictions and problems with intelligence sharing. We have massive attacks today, and it's a pity that we had also some difficulties. What I want to discuss with Andy about Starlink and about intelligence, I mean, a lot of different surprises on which you can't count when you have real partnership, and we count on partnership with the United States. We just want to be very honest, very clear, be strong partners. Ukrainian officials say they've been asking SpaceX and the U.S. government who impose the limits. Elon Musk says there's an important distinction here. Commercial Starlink service is controlled by SpaceX, but Starshield, the military satellite system, is controlled by the U.S. government. In a post on X, Musk said any restrictions on Starshield are decided by the U.S. military and, ultimately, the president. A senior U.S. official denies the Trump administration had anything to do with the reported service restrictions, but Zelensky's frustration with Trump is now spilling into public view. Listen to what he told host Piers Morgan on Uncensored. using America. Yeah, but not because of us. I mean, we can't be weak, otherwise we can't survive. Otherwise, we will just, we are not selling our country. Look, guys. Ukraine is still pushing for the satellite restrictions to be removed entirely, and its officials say they need an explanation for why some Russian missile attacks came without the advance warning they normally receive from Western partners. Trump says the US has not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.