Musk ordered Starlink slowdown that hit Ukraine's drones, WSJ reports; Trump denies role
In short
The Wall Street Journal reported on 20 October, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter, that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of the Starlink version Ukraine relies on, leaving some drones virtually inoperable. CBS News also cited sources saying the decision was Musk's. Trump denied ordering it and said he does not know who did.
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The Wall Street Journal reported on 20 October that Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of a version of SpaceX's Starlink that Ukraine has relied on in its war against Russia. The paper cited U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter. CBS News separately reported, citing sources, that the decision to restrict Ukraine's access to the SpaceX network came from Musk. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 16 ]
According to the Journal, as quoted by CNBC, Musk last week capped the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could stay connected to the satellite-based network. The decision left some Ukrainian drones virtually inoperable, the newspaper said. The Hill, summarising the report, said the slowed service was Starshield, the military version of Starlink, and that Ukraine said the move hampered its ability to respond to Russian attacks. A source familiar with the matter said drones, airplanes and helicopters were affected. A later Journal report said the slowdown crippled Ukraine's drones and sowed panic in Kyiv. [ 2 , 6 , 9 ]
Two people told the Journal that Musk and Trump discussed the move soon after the change became public last week. One of them claimed Musk discussed the matter with multiple senior Trump administration officials, including the president, before imposing the speed cap. CNBC noted that both men have recently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. [ 6 ]
Trump denied ordering the slowdown and said he does not know who did. Ars Technica's summary said Musk and Trump both denied ordering it, and its headline said Musk ordered it and then blamed it on Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the White House was not responsible: "We cannot direct a private company as to the decisions they make or not make," he said. [ 1 , 10 , 14 , 15 ]
Democrats called for an investigation into Musk. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said: "Either the President was lying or Musk was lying, but the decision to slow down satellite speed and access has life or death consequences for Ukraine." Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania also called for a congressional investigation, saying: "We got to call the witnesses, got to bring them in, put them under oath, and get to the bottom of it." [ 11 , 12 ]
Why it matters
Ukraine said the slowdown hampered its ability to respond to Russian attacks. Democrats and at least one Republican lawmaker have called for investigations, and the question of who made the decision is disputed.
Key facts
- The Wall Street Journal reported on 20 October, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter, that Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of a version of SpaceX's Starlink that Ukraine has relied on in its war against Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Musk last week capped the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could stay connected to the network, the Journal reported; the decision left some Ukrainian drones virtually inoperable, according to the newspaper. [ 6 ]
- The Hill, summarising the Journal report, said the slowed service was Starshield, the military version of Starlink, and that Ukraine said the slowdown hampered its ability to respond to Russian attacks. [ 2 ]
- CBS News, citing sources, reported that the decision to restrict Ukraine's use of SpaceX's satellite network came from Musk. [ 7 , 8 , 16 ]
- Trump denied ordering the slowdown and said he does not know who did. [ 1 , 14 , 15 ]
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the White House was not responsible, saying "We cannot direct a private company as to the decisions they make or not make." [ 10 ]
- Democrats and Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick called for an investigation. [ 11 , 12 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who gave the order and whether the White House was involved. Trump denied ordering it and said he does not know who did; Rubio said the White House was not responsible; one person told the Journal that Musk discussed the matter with senior administration officials, including Trump, before the cap.
- Whether Musk denied ordering the slowdown. Ars Technica's summary says Musk and Trump both denied ordering it, while its headline says Musk ordered it and then blamed it on Trump; the other documents do not give Musk's statement.
- The full extent of the effect on Ukraine's forces. The Journal said some drones were virtually inoperable, and a source cited by The Hill said drones, airplanes and helicopters were affected; Ukraine's own account is only summarised second-hand.
- Lawmakers called for an investigation into the reported slowdown. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Wall Street Journal publishes its report on 20 October that Musk ordered the Starlink slowdown. [ 1 ]
- CBS News reports on 20 October, citing sources, that Musk chose to restrict Ukraine's access to the SpaceX network. [ 7 ]
- The Wall Street Journal publishes a follow-up on 21 October saying the slowdown crippled Ukraine's drones and sowed panic in Kyiv. [ 9 ]
- NBC News reports on 21 October that Rubio says the White House was not responsible. [ 10 ]
- The Hill reports on 21 October that Democrats are calling for an investigation of Musk. [ 11 ]
- The Hill reports on 21 October that Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is calling for a congressional investigation. [ 12 ]
- CNBC reports on 21 October that Trump denies ordering the slowdown and says he does not know who did. [ 15 ]