Zelensky accuses US of curbing Starlink military service as rift deepens

Ukraine says military-grade Starlink service was restricted without warning, complicating air defences during Russian strikes.

President Zelensky has said Ukrainian forces lost access to US early-warning alerts on incoming ballistic missiles and saw Starlink service degrade across the country, with SpaceX's military Starshield terminals also restricted. He claimed the restrictions were deliberate and linked to the political pressure over the energy ceasefire.

Elon Musk has rejected the accusations, saying any limits on the military-grade systems are decided by the US military and ultimately the US president. Ukrainian officials said the sudden cut-off came without warning and caused several missions to fail.

The dispute has become another front in the widening rift between Kyiv and Washington. Zelensky has also lashed out at a US diesel deal with Russia, while Trump has said it may be time for Ukraine to get a new president.