Musk chose to restrict Ukraine's access to SpaceX network, sources say

Key points

• Elon Musk ordered restrictions on Ukraine's use of SpaceX's Starshield satellite network, sources told CBS News.
• Ukrainian units reported link drops at speeds as low as 90 km/hr, making strike drones inoperable.
• Trump said he wanted to find out who ordered the slowdown; Hegseth said the Pentagon made no directives.

A decision by Elon Musk led to restrictions on Ukraine's use of SpaceX's satellite communications network, people familiar with the matter told CBS News. The service, used for drone operations, hitting certain targets and protecting sites in Ukraine, was slowed significantly last week. Musk held multiple conversations with administration officials before the order and wanted clarity on the president's thinking, the sources said.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Musk's order. It is not clear how the order was carried out. Musk licenses SpaceX's Starshield technology to the U.S. government and said last week that the U.S. controls access and service levels.

Effect on Ukraine's forces

Ukrainian officials and soldiers told CBS News that the military began having sudden difficulties with Starshield equipment late Tuesday, including throttling that made fast-moving drone missions harder. Sources in Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said SpaceX had unilaterally imposed the restrictions.

Starshield has no artificial speed cap and is known to work at speeds of at least 160 km/hr, while strike drones using it cruise at 160 km/h or higher. Ukrainian units reported link drops at speeds as low as 90 km/hr. Analyst Dimko Zhluktenko estimated the degradation cost Ukraine tens of millions of dollars.

We haven't pulled anything back. There are terms of service that ultimately need to be complied to.

— Pete Hegseth

Official responses

Some administration officials said neither Mr. Trump nor the Pentagon specifically ordered limits meant to disrupt drone operations and battlefield communications. Mr. Trump said Monday he was seeking details on who ordered the slowdown. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Pentagon has not manipulated the service.

Zelensky told NBC News there were still limits on Ukraine's Starshield service and said he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about restoring it. A bipartisan group of senators asked the Defense Department's internal watchdog to investigate.