Trump, Musk, Zelenskyy: who is blaming who in the Ukraine-Starlink row?

What Happened

Restrictions to Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications, have rendered many Ukrainian drones used to strike behind Russian frontlines inoperable and hampered air defence systems that stop Russian attacks, according to Ukrainian officials. The cause of the restrictions is disputed. Donald Trump said on Thursday the service was running again at full speed, but a European official speaking to the Associated Press denied that the service was fully functioning. The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk made the order to slow Starshield, with sources disagreeing over whether this was done in concert with Trump. Musk publicly denied responsibility, writing on X that the systems are 'owned and controlled by the US government' and that any limits are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS. Trump denied ordering the change, while secretary of state Marco Rubio said no one in the US system requested it but that decisions by the private company rest with Musk. The article states civilian casualties in Ukraine have surged amid the diplomatic dispute, without providing a specific source or figure.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute exposes Ukraine's critical dependence on US private satellite communications for frontline drone operations and air defence. If Starshield access is degraded, it could undermine Kyiv's ability to conduct long-range strikes and defend against Russian attacks, potentially increasing civilian casualties. The row also signals a breakdown in the US-Ukraine security relationship under the Trump administration and raises questions about the influence of private actors such as Elon Musk over wartime military capabilities, as well as whether the White House or SpaceX is ultimately responsible for decisions affecting an active conflict.

Watch For

Zelenskyy said he hoped for talks with Rubio in the coming days, which may clarify US policy and the status of Starshield. Monitor whether Starshield service actually returns to full speed for Ukrainian forces, and whether Ukrainian drone operations and air defence recover. Watch for further reporting from the Wall Street Journal or named officials on whether Musk acted with White House acquiescence, and for new casualty figures from Ukraine as the restriction's impact becomes clearer.