Ukraine confirmed on Wednesday that its military has been cut off from full access to SpaceX's Starlink satellite system , which reportedly interrupted some missions overnight. 

"Tonight SpaceX introduced a speed limit for the Starlink terminals in motion," said Presidential Adviser Sergiy Beskrestnov.

"Our defense forces were not warned about this restriction, which led to the disruption of a number of missions," he added.

"Obviously, this action cannot be a coincidence and is linked to the current political situation," he added.

Starlink cut-off coincides with Trump's 'energy ceasefire'

That political situation refers to US President Donald Trump's recent decision to lift sanctions on buying Russian oil. 

Trump has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy— saying he needs to stop attacking Russian oil infrastructure and that he should be replaced because "he won't make a deal" with Russia.

Oil and gas prices have skyrocketed this year due to the US and Israel's war on Iran.

Russia has meanwhile continued to target Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Trump over the weekend insisted, without providing evidence, that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an "energy ceasefire." But Moscow and Kyiv have both denied this.

On Tuesday evening, Russian ballistic missiles hit a Kyiv power plant. Ukrainian officials said the Starlink outages had coincided with overnight Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy in UK asks Musk to turn Starlink back on

During a visit to the UK on Wednesday, Zelenskyy called on Starlink owner Elon Musk to fully restore the system.

"So they switched off. It's their decision," Zelenskyy said in an interview with UK journalist Piers Morgan.

"I hope that it's a mistake, maybe huge technical problem. I don't know, but we are asking to do it, to switch (it) on."

In a post on X, Musk later said that any "limits on speed or usage" are ultimately decided by the US military and the president. 

Musk's post was in response to an earlier post from Ukraine's former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who said "Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored," while thanking Musk. This has not been immediately confirmed by standing Ukrainian military officials. 

SpaceX move slowed down Ukrainian drones 

Ukrainian troops use Starlink to conduct drone operations and internet terminals supplied by Elon Musk's company are key to operating long-distance strikes.

Presidential Advisor Beskrestnov said SpaceX had cut off access to its military-grade version of Starlink above 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour), adding that Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed in the southeast, had been forced to cancel some missions.

"According to our ‌observations, during flights, the connection could drop for 10–20 seconds at speeds of ‌just 110–120 ​km/h. The drones kept moving, but these interruptions made them harder to control," a Reaction Corps representative told Reuters news agency.

A source in Ukraine's Defense Ministry said such limitations significantly complicate logistics and ​drone operations.

Ukraine has used Starlink terminals as an alternative to radio control for its drones as well as for ground communications since shortly after Russia launched its invasion.

Starlink's resistance to electronic jamming has made it a crucial tool for flying long-range attack drones as well as large hexacopters that drop supplies for Ukraine's frontline troops.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a key Donald Trump supporter, has, however, repeatedly shifted his stance on Ukraine since the early days of Russia's invasion.

In August, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Kyiv was looking to create an alternative to Musk's Starlink, in concert "with a European country."

Zelenskyy recieves warm welcome in UK 

Arriving in London on Wednesday for talks at 10 Downing Street, Zelenksyy received a strong show of support amid the tensions with Washington.

"You have seen the solidarity and the support you have got from everybody here in Britain ... we are behind you and that will not change," said UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

When asked by Piers Morgan about Trump's recent turn towards Russia, Zelenskyy said it was "pity" to lose a "⁠strong partner." "It's painful when President Trump chooses one ​side, not our side."

Washington continues to share intelligence, for now

There has not yet been any follow-up from the US or Starlink regarding the speed restrictions in Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official told DW.  

"We view this as a signal regarding further restrictive measures," the official said under condition of anonymity. 

The official confirmed Washington continues to share intelligence with Kyiv, for now, amid concerns that the US will use vital battlefield intelligence as a bargaining chip.

Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez and Wesley Dockery

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