Key Moments
- A Zelensky adviser said SpaceX’s Starlink restricted operation of military-used terminals on Tuesday, disrupting several critical missions.
- Serhii Sternenko reported that Starlink connectivity began failing at speeds above 160 kilometers per hour on Tuesday night.
- Ukraine said it received no intelligence warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, while ordinary satellite terminals reportedly stayed functional.
Reports of Starlink Limits on Ukrainian Military Use
SpaceX’s Starlink service curtailed the functionality of terminals used by Ukraine’s armed forces on Tuesday, according to an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking on Wednesday.
Serhii Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist and adviser to the Defense Ministry on drone warfare, said in a post on X that Starlink connections started to fail when equipment operated at speeds over 160 kilometers per hour on Tuesday night.
“As a result, a number of critical missions were disrupted,” Sternenko said, asserting that SpaceX likely acted at the request of the Donald Trump administration.
Loss of Missile Attack Intelligence and U.S. Tensions
Sternenko stated that Kyiv did not receive intelligence on Russian ballistic missile strikes conducted on Tuesday night. He accused Washington of effectively “imposing sanctions” on Ukraine.
He added that standard satellite communication terminals continued to function. On Tuesday, Zelensky also said that Ukraine had not received advance warning of Russian missile attacks from its western partners.
Escalation in Russian Strikes and Political Backdrop
Russia intensified its offensive against Ukraine this week, coinciding with Donald Trump’s announcement of an “energy ceasefire” between the two countries.
Sternenko said Ukraine had not attacked Russian energy infrastructure, while claiming that Moscow continued to strike Ukrainian energy assets.
Trump’s Energy Deal and Pressure on Kyiv
Trump last week announced what he described as a major diesel supply agreement with Russia and accused Ukraine of contributing to higher global fuel prices by attacking Russian energy facilities.
He also publicly urged Zelensky to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s War Effort
SpaceX began providing Starlink services to the Ukrainian government within days of the start of the Russian offensive in 2022. The system quickly became integral to Ukrainian battlefield communications and has also been used by Kyiv in conducting drone operations.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly urged Ukraine to reach a peace settlement with Russia, and he recently aligned with Trump’s calls for a new presidential election in Ukraine.
Key Actors and Stated Positions
| Actor | Role / Description | Position or Action Described |
|---|---|---|
| Serhii Sternenko | Ukrainian activist and Defense Ministry adviser on drone combat | Reported Starlink restrictions at speeds above 160 kilometers per hour and said critical missions were disrupted |
| SpaceX / Starlink | Satellite communications provider | Restricted operation of terminals used by the Ukrainian military, according to Sternenko |
| Volodymyr Zelensky | President of Ukraine | Stated Ukraine received no warning from western partners about Russian missile strikes on Tuesday |
| Donald Trump | Political figure mentioned in the report | Announced an “energy ceasefire,” a diesel supply deal with Russia, and criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities |
| Elon Musk | CEO of SpaceX | Has called for Ukraine to make peace with Russia and echoed calls for a new presidential election in Ukraine |
TradingPedia.com is a financial media specialized in providing daily news and education covering Forex, equities and commodities. Our academies for traders cover 
