Order to limit Starshield for Ukraine came from inside White House, sources say

U.S. and Western officials report that an instruction to slow Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink used by Ukraine, originated inside the White House and was relayed to the Defense Department, though officials would not identify who ordered it. Ukrainian forces found Starshield receptors no longer worked reliably when mounted on fast-moving platforms, degrading guidance for strike and interceptor drones; technicians later restored functionality up to about 100 mph. SpaceX’s CEO noted that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government, so operational limits are set by the military or president, while a senior U.S. official denied that the president requested any such restriction.

The restriction unfolded amid heightened U.S.-Ukraine tensions after a Miami meeting where White House envoys pressed Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian refineries - a demand tied to rising energy prices and midterm politics - and after a controversial U.S. diesel deal to import roughly 2.25 million barrels from Russia. Kyiv repeatedly sought explanations from the White House, State Department and Pentagon and was told it was a White House decision. The Pentagon, which has spent billions on Starlink/Starshield and purchased dedicated satellites for missile warning and reconnaissance, did not comment publicly.