A decision by Elon Musk led to restrictions on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s satellite network last week, people familiar with the matter told CBS News.
The service, which Ukraine relies on for drone operations, targeting and protecting key sites, was slowed significantly. Sources said Musk spoke with administration officials several times beforehand and has voiced discomfort with SpaceX being seen as profiting from the war. It’s unclear how the order was carried out.
Musk has said the U.S. government controls access to the Starshield technology it licenses. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” he wrote on X.
Some officials were caught off guard, saying neither President Donald Trump nor the Pentagon ordered limits meant to disrupt battlefield communications. Trump said Monday he wanted to know who ordered the slowdown.
Sources: CBS News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Dktue / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
