Speaking amid tensions over Washington’s policy towards Ukraine and Russia, Marco Rubio said no one at the White House had directed the slowdown.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the White House ordered restrictions on the speed of Ukraine’s access to Starlink to prevent the satellite internet network from being used by drones travelling faster than 100 mph (160 kmph). His remarks come after Elon Musk suggested that restrictions on the military-grade Starshield service were controlled by the US government.
Speaking amid tensions over Washington’s policy towards Ukraine and Russia, Marco Rubio said no one at the White House had directed the slowdown. Starshield, a military-grade satellite communications service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is used for government and military purposes.
The controversy erupted after Ukraine reported unexpected speed restrictions on its satellite connectivity, disrupting some of its battlefield drone operations. The restrictions meant that weapons travelling faster than 100 mph lost connectivity to the network.
Elon Musk subsequently said that Starshield systems were owned and controlled by the US government, adding that any restrictions on their speed or usage were decided by the US military and ultimately the US President Donald Trump.
“Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” Elon Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), referring to the US President. He also argued that Starlink was intended for civilian or defensive activities and should not be used for offensive military action, saying such use would be inappropriate for a commercial company.
Starlink Speed Restrictions Disrupt Ukraine’s Drone Operations
Starlink, which uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet connectivity, has become a critical communications tool for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The network has helped Ukrainian forces maintain communications, coordinate operations and guide drones.
