Ukraine claims Starlink is suddenly disrupting service for its military
The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on October 12th, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. | Photo by Andrew Kravchenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Ukrainian officials claim the Elon Musk-owned Starlink put new limits on its service in the area without warning, disrupting the country's drone operations and missions, according to reports from Reuters and the Financial Times. The move comes just days after Musk…
Key points
- Ukrainian officials say Starlink imposed new service limits without warning, disrupting drone operations and missions.
- Advisor Serhii Beskrestnov says the restriction blocks connections to devices moving over 100mph and has disrupted several missions.
- Poland's deputy prime minister Radosław Sikorski warned Musk on X that European customers are watching.
Ukrainian officials claim Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, suddenly placed new limits on its service in the area without warning, disrupting the country's drone operations and missions, according to Reuters and the Financial Times. The change came days after Musk wrote on X that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "has gone too far," responding to President Donald Trump's disapproval of Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries.
Ukrainian defense tech advisor Serhii Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram that the action was not coincidental and was tied to the current political situation.
What the restriction does
Beskrestnov wrote that Starlink imposed a new restriction preventing it from connecting to devices traveling at over 100mph. He said this has led to the disruption of several missions, as reported by Reuters, and is also impacting Ukraine's ability to protect itself from Russian drone strikes.
It is clear that this action is not coincidental and is related to the current political situation
— Serhii Beskrestnov
Reaction and context
Earlier this week, Russia launched a barrage of missiles that struck multiple power plants in Ukraine, despite the energy ceasefire Trump claimed the two countries have reached. Zelenskyy said in a post on X that the military received no advance warning from our partners about the ballistic missile launch.
Radosław Sikorski, deputy prime minister of Poland, which pays for Ukraine's Starlink subscription, warned Musk on X: "Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you." SpaceX did not immediately respond to The Verge's request for comment.
