KYIV, Ukraine: Ukraine has accused Elon Musk's SpaceX of disrupting its military drone operations by limiting Starlink satellite internet services, as Russian attacks damaged power stations and raised fresh concerns about Kyiv's access to U.S. support.

Ukrainian military officials said SpaceX had unexpectedly restricted the operation of military-grade Starlink terminals moving at high speeds. The restrictions reportedly prevented Ukrainian forces from using the satellite service to guide drones.

Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said the military had not received advance notice of the changes and that several missions had been disrupted.

Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, which operates in the southeast, told Reuters that the satellite connection could drop for 10 to 20 seconds when drones traveled at speeds of just 110 to 120 kilometers per hour.

The drones kept flying during these interruptions, but the loss of connection made them harder to control, the military unit said.

A source in Ukraine's Defense Ministry said the restrictions had significantly complicated military logistics and some drone operations.

Starlink has been vital to Ukraine's military communications since the service was activated in the country in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Its ability to resist electronic jamming has been vital for controlling long-range attack drones and operating drones that deliver supplies to troops on the front lines.

Starlink does not operate inside Russia, and Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil facilities use other communication systems. However, Ukraine relies on Starlink to control drones flying over its own territory, including areas occupied by Russian forces.

The possibility that SpaceX could restrict Ukraine's military capabilities has raised concerns in Kyiv that Washington could reduce battlefield support to force Ukraine to make concessions to Russia.

Sources have told Reuters and other news organizations that the United States has threatened to stop sharing intelligence used to provide early warnings of Russian missile attacks. The reported pressure aimed to persuade Kyiv to suspend strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Russian Attacks Expose Air Defense Gaps

The dispute over Starlink came as Russian forces continued attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ukraine said it had intercepted only four of the 39 Russian missiles launched in the latest attacks. The low interception rate highlighted the difficulties facing Ukrainian air defenses, particularly against fast-moving ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.

Ukraine has faced shortages of weapons needed to defend its cities and critical infrastructure.

Trump had announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on energy targets, but neither side had confirmed the claim. The continued Russian strikes have raised questions about whether any such understanding exists.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described Russia's latest attacks as an "ostentatious disrespect" towards U.S. President Donald Trump, who had said that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to stop attacking energy targets. Neither side has confirmed such an agreement, and Russian forces continued their attacks on Ukrainian power facilities.

Relations between Kyiv and Washington have worsened since Trump unexpectedly lifted sanctions on Russian diesel last week and publicly criticized Zelenskiy.

The combination of Russian attacks, shortages of air-defense weapons and uncertainty over access to U.S. military support has added to pressure on Kyiv.

With Starlink playing a central role in Ukrainian battlefield communications, any sustained restrictions could affect drone missions, military supply operations and coordination between frontline units.