In brief
After Ukraine’s Starlink system was abruptly slowed, President Donald Trump claimed he had no role in the cut. The restriction, reportedly pushed from the White House, capped drone speeds to 100 mph, disabling some military communications. Ukrainian forces suffered multiple attacks during the slowdown, and lawmakers are pressing the US to investigate. Meanwhile, tech mogul Elon Musk hinted that the order may have come from US officials, not him.
Trump says he didn’t order a Starlink cut for Ukraine, but the service is still down. After Ukraine’s military reported losing internet speeds on June 1, President Donald Trump reacted from the White House, denying any involvement. He said the move wasn’t made by him or Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder.
Reuters reported the restriction was pushed from inside the White House, limiting drone speeds to 100 mph. Drones that moved faster lost their link to the network, leaving Ukrainian troops exposed. Within hours, several military targets were hit, and 600,000 civilians were left without power.
Elon Musk hinted that the US government might have issued the order, while a bipartisan group of senators demanded an investigation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging the West to keep Starlink open, claiming it’s vital for defence.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have pledged continued support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of satellite‑based communication on the front lines.
