Starlink curbs hit Ukraine's drone ops

Ukraine said on Wednesday that Elon Musk's SpaceX had imposed restrictions on its satellite services, disrupting military drone operations as Russian strikes knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people amid worsening tensions between Kyiv and Washington.

Ukrainian military officials said the restrictions affected military-grade Starlink terminals used in drones for attacks on Russian targets and for intercepting incoming Russian drones. The sudden limitations reportedly disrupted several missions, with Kyiv seeking clarification from SpaceX, the US government and NATO.

Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said SpaceX had imposed a speed limit of 160 kilometres per hour on its StarShield military and intelligence service. A Ukrainian defence ministry source told Reuters that some military units reported losing connections at speeds below half that threshold.

The development comes as US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, calling for stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries, suggesting the Ukrainians should replace their wartime leader.

Zelenskiy warned that the decision could cost lives. "It's a big mistake ... this decision will bring a lot of human losses," he said. He said that it was painful that Trump appeared to be taking Russia's side, adding that a president seeking to mediate must remain neutral.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, whose country pays for Ukraine's Starlink subscriptions, criticised Musk over the reported restrictions, questioning whether he was using his products for political purposes.

Meanwhile, Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian cities overnight and on Wednesday, damaging 30 energy facilities, according to Zelenskiy. Around 600,000 people were left without electricity, while six people were killed in the western city of Lutsk. In Kyiv, officials reported two deaths and 21 injuries. REUTERS