Report: Musk Ordered Ukraine’s Starlink Slowdown as Trump Eases Pressure on Russia
The Wall Street Journal says Musk personally capped Ukraine’s military satellite link, one of several U.S. moves in October that Kyiv says favor Moscow.
October 20, 2026 | Florida Man News Network | Photo: Official White House Photo by Molly Riley, May 30, 2025 (public domain)
Elon Musk ordered last week’s slowdown of a military-grade version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter. FMNN first reported the cap on Oct. 14.
The report contradicts Musk’s public account. Last Wednesday, Musk wrote on X that Starshield, the military version of Starlink, is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, and that any speed or usage limits are “decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
The Journal’s sources split on President Trump’s role. Some U.S. officials said Musk acted on his own and that Trump did not order retribution against Ukraine. But a person familiar with the situation told the Journal that Musk spoke with Trump and several senior administration officials before capping speeds. The two also discussed the decision in a call soon after the slowdown became public, while Trump was campaigning.
Trump said Monday he did not know who ordered the Starlink interruption but would like to find out. The Journal reported that Zelenskyy’s public complaints led to an informal investigation inside the White House. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon never ordered the restrictions.
What the cap did
The cap began Oct. 14, after the Trump administration urged Ukraine to stop striking Russia’s oil infrastructure. Zelenskyy said the maximum speed was 161 km/h (about 100 mph), and that once a drone goes faster, Starlink shuts off and the drone is lost. Ukraine uses interceptor drones to hunt Russia’s jet-powered Shahed attack drones, which can fly about 230 mph.
The cutoff came the same night Russia fired 39 ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s energy grid, according to Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said service partly stabilized below about 160 km/h, but as of the weekend, Zelenskyy said the cap was still in place.
Part of a wider October shift on Russia
The Starlink episode landed in the middle of a series of U.S. decisions on Russia that Kyiv and its European allies have protested:
Oct. 9, diesel deal. Trump said Russia will supply more than 4 million tons of diesel to world markets under a deal he struck with Vladimir Putin by phone. The Treasury Department waived sanctions on Russian diesel through April 2027.
Oct. 10, Zelenskyy. Trump said it was time for Ukraine to get a new president.
Oct. 13, bipartisan pushback. Six Republican senators joined Democrats in a letter rebuking the diesel deal and urging Trump to follow the Russia sanctions law he signed last month, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Energy ceasefire. Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine that fell apart almost at once, with both sides claiming violations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the truce was never defined, so Russia cannot be accused of breaking it.
Oct. 14, Starlink cap, along with Ukrainian complaints about missing missile warnings. Trump said intelligence was still being shared, and Ukraine’s air force said it did get warnings before several later attacks.
Oct. 16, sanctions waiver. Trump signed a waiver exempting Russia from sweeping penalties Congress had required, drawing criticism even from Republicans.
Oct. 20, intelligence resumed. Kyiv said Washington had resumed intelligence sharing.
The administration’s case
The White House ties its approach to fuel prices and peace talks. It is trying to ease oil and diesel prices, which are at record highs, ahead of the midterms. In a Sunday post, Trump said he is negotiating peace and does not want to drive Russia away from the bargaining table. Administration officials argue economic and political incentives will help secure a more lasting truce.
Ukrainian and European officials disagree, saying ending the war takes more pressure on Moscow, not on Kyiv. The New York Times reported that Ukrainian leaders now believe Trump has gone so far in favoring Russia that staying quiet would be riskier than speaking up.
Reaction in Congress
Republican criticism is growing ahead of the midterms. Republicans speaking out against the diesel deal include Trump allies in tough races, such as Senate candidates Ashley Hinson in Iowa and Mike Rogers in Michigan. Last week, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired Air Force general, wrote on X that cutting intelligence sharing and Starlink access amounts to aiding the invader. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has called for a Pentagon inspector general investigation.
SpaceX and the White House had not publicly responded to the Journal’s report as of publication. FMNN will update this story.