Brief

Ukraine accuses SpaceX of throttling Starlink terminals amid missile attacks

Ukrainian defence adviser says overnight speed caps on Starlink hindered drone control as Kyiv faces a second night of ballistic missile attacks.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:44:22 GMT

Ukrainian officials have accused SpaceX of throttling Starlink satellite services, saying the slowdown limited terminals travelling over 100 mph overnight on Wednesday and hampered drone operations during a second night of Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv.

Defence‑technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov told Al Jazeera via Telegram that the speed caps deprived Ukraine of a key means to defend against Shahed drones and disrupted frontline logistics and long‑distance missions. He warned that the slowdown "cannot be a coincidence" after reports of a deal between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel.

Poland, which funds Ukrainian Starlink subscriptions, reacted angrily. Foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted on X, "Hey Elon Musk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you." The comment referenced a 2025 social‑media clash in which Musk told Sikorski to "be quiet, small man".

Musk previously said Starlink would never be turned off as a bargaining chip, adding that even if he disagreed with Ukraine policy, the service would remain operational. He later reiterated that Starlink would not be used as a political lever.

In related statements, a Ukrainian official speaking to AFP accused Washington of throttling Starlink and aiding Russia, while U.S. President Trump claimed Kyiv had not received its usual Western warnings about the attacks.

Key facts

Ukrainian defence adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said Starlink terminals over 100 mph were throttled overnight. (aljazeera.com)
Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticised Elon Musk on X for the alleged throttling. (aljazeera.com)
Elon Musk previously asserted Starlink would never be turned off as a bargaining chip. (aljazeera.com)
The slowdown occurred as Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv for a second consecutive night, killing at least nine people. (aljazeera.com)