Who actually controls Ukraine’s access to Starlink?

A three-panel composite showing Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in separate portrait photographs.
October 24, 2026

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Who actually controls Ukraine’s access to Starlink?

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says unexplained limits on Starlink and Starshield services continue to affect Ukrainian forces, while US officials and Elon Musk offer conflicting accounts of who controls the restrictions.

Ukraine uses both the civilian service Starlink and the more secure Starshield, depending on what communications are needed.

The networks use 10,000 satellites to provide connectivity, particularly in remote areas and on the battlefield. Starshield allows Ukrainian drone operators to see targets in real time, as well as operate interceptor drones.

The BBC’s Washington correspondent Daniel Bush looks at what officials have said about the technology.

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