The key facts

  • SpaceX restricted speeds on military Starshield terminals in Ukraine; Musk claims U.S. military and Trump set the limits
  • Zelenskyy called the move a 'big mistake' and discussed Trump's stance in an interview with Piers Morgan
  • Russian strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lutsk killed at least 8, damaged 30 energy facilities, and left about 600,000 without power

Starlink Restrictions and Kyiv-Washington Conflict

According to Ukrainian officials, Elon Musk's company SpaceX has imposed high-speed restrictions on Starlink (Starshield) terminals used for military purposes without prior notice. Reports indicate this is disabling Kyiv's offensive and defensive drone missions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision a 'big mistake' leading to numerous human casualties. Elon Musk, for his part, stated that the system's speed and usage restrictions are determined by the U.S. military and directly by President Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy's Statements

'It hurts that President Trump is choosing not our side but another,' Zelenskyy said in an interview with Piers Morgan. He clarified that he is not opposed to Trump's neutrality, but 'if one is in the middle, one must remain in the middle.' The situation has also sparked sharp dissatisfaction in Poland, which funds Starlink subscriptions for Kyiv.

Attacks on Ukraine

According to the publication, Russia exploited Starlink disruptions to launch large-scale missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lutsk. As a result of the attacks, at least 8 people were killed, 30 energy facilities were damaged, and approximately 600,000 people were left without electricity. Zelenskyy described these strikes as Russia's 'open disrespect' for the 'energy truce' announced by Trump.

Escalation of Kyiv-Washington Relations

The restrictions coincided with a deterioration in relations between Kyiv and Washington. Ahead of the U.S. elections, Trump, seeking to lower fuel prices, lifted sanctions on Russian diesel, demanded Ukraine stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, and called on Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy.

UK Aid and Incident Near the Strait of Hormuz

Amid tensions with Washington, the UK is providing Ukraine with a package of surface-to-air missiles worth about $60 million to combat Russian kamikaze drones. Additionally, according to Reuters, on October 13–14, a container ship and a bulk carrier sank in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by projectiles, as reported by the agency.