Ukraine says SpaceX restrictions are disrupting military drones and air defences

Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukraine said on Wednesday that restrictions imposed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX on satellite services were disrupting drone attack operations and air defences. The reported limitations came amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv and further Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Military satellite terminals disrupted

Ukrainian military officials said SpaceX (SPCX.O) had begun disrupting the operation of military-grade terminals travelling at high speeds, without providing advance notice.

Ukraine fits SpaceX receivers to many drones for use in their onboard navigation systems. The terminals function throughout Ukraine, including areas controlled by Russian troops.

Asked about limitations affecting the military version of Starlink in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the decision as a serious mistake that would cause many human losses. He did not identify who had made it.

Russian strikes continue despite ceasefire announcement

Russian missile and drone attacks left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. Zelenskiy said the strikes showed blatant disrespect for US President Donald Trump’s appeal for a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.

Trump said over the weekend that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop targeting energy facilities. Neither country confirmed an agreement, and Russian bombardment remained intense over the following two days, with Ukrainian power stations among the targets.

Following overnight attacks on Kyiv, Russian strikes continued during Wednesday. Six people died in Lutsk, a city in western Ukraine, where the regional governor reported that a residential building and a warehouse had been struck.

Ukraine also maintained its long-range attacks on Russia, striking the country’s largest data centre. Kyiv said it was temporarily refraining from attacks on energy facilities out of respect for Trump.

Relations with Washington worsen

Trump has publicly criticised Zelenskiy in recent days, urged Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries and said Ukrainians should choose a replacement for their wartime president.

Last week, Trump abruptly removed sanctions on Russian diesel amid political pressure to bring down fuel prices, which have surged since he began a war against Iran.

Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored, Zelenskiy said it was painful to see Trump favour a side other than Ukraine. He said he could accept Trump taking a position between Ukraine and Russia, but argued that such a position required him to remain impartial.