The White House has ordered a restriction on the satellite communications system used by the Ukrainian military for communications and drone operations, according to a Reuters report citing U.S. officials.
The report states that the U.S. Department of Defense has been directed to limit SpaceX's "Starshield" services for the Ukrainian army. Starshield is the military-grade version of the Starlink system, operated by Elon Musk's company and designed for government and defense purposes.
This development comes as Ukrainian officials have confirmed that Starlink terminals installed in fast-moving military vehicles have been experiencing outages in recent days. The disruption has significantly impacted drone operations, which rely heavily on stable satellite connectivity.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Starlink system has played a crucial role in maintaining communications for Ukraine's military and civilians. However, its use on the battlefield has been a source of controversy, particularly after reports that Elon Musk had refused to enable the service near Crimea to prevent a Ukrainian attack, fearing escalation.
The new restriction signals a potential shift in the technological support provided to Ukraine. While the exact reasons for the White House's decision have not been fully disclosed, it may be linked to concerns about controlling the use of the powerful technology or managing the risks of escalation.
Experts suggest that limiting access to Starshield could challenge Ukraine's ability to conduct complex military operations, especially those involving the coordination of troops and the use of drones on the front lines. This move could force Ukraine to seek alternative communication solutions at a critical juncture in the war.
Source: Reuters
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