Elon Musk has blamed Donald Trump for restrictions imposed on his Starlink communications service, after Ukraine reported nationwide interruptions hampering frontline operations and defences against Russian attacks.
The SpaceX boss, formerly Trump’s efficiency tsar, responded on Thursday to a post from Ukraine’s foreign minister Mykhailo Fedorov saying the technology was “critical” for the country as officials started reporting limitations imposed on terminals moving at speed.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk said, referring to the military version of Starlink, developed by the Pentagon. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and POTUS.”
While Musk has said the two systems are separate, in many cases they share the same underlying satellite technology and the distinction is not always clear-cut. Starshield's secure services use enhanced encryption and dedicated terminals, but rely on the vast Starlink constellation as their backbone.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told the FT that the suspension was presented to Kyiv as a technical glitch, but dismissed the idea that failures of the system may have been caused by a fault: “It was not a technical problem, it was the will.”
Watch: Piers Morgan issues direct television address to Trump after Zelensky's bombshell interview
Russia strikes Ukraine's Izmail port and cargo vessels
Russia has struck Izmail port in Ukraine's Black Sea Odesa region and has also hit two cargo vessels en route to Odesa, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram, claiming they were being used for military purposes.
Watch: Trump rates on-off pal Elon Musk’s intelligence in Arizona rally
UK throws weight behind Ukraine amid strained ties with the US
Volodymyr Zelensky received an unprecedented honour guard made up of troops from the Irish Guards on his arrival at No 10.
The meeting came during a period of strained relations between Ukraine and the US after Donald Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel last week as high fuel prices in America threatened to overshadow November’s mid-term elections.
The UK responded to news of the deal by pledging to “maintain pressure on Russia”.
In recent days, the US president has also suggested Ukraine needs a new leader and claimed Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants a peace deal more than the government in Kyiv.
Mr Zelensky has also said use of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications system was “blocked” and that as a result “people will die”, admitting that he felt betrayed by Mr Trump.
“It’s a pity that we are losing, we are losing a strong partner,” he told Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Top story: US 'floats unfreezing some Russian assets' to restart Ukraine peace talks
The US has proposed that European countries unfreeze some Russian sovereign assets immobilised after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and transfer them to a vehicle overseen by Washington in an attempt to revive peace talks, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter.
European delegates rebuffed the plan, which was pitched by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the report said.
It comes after the US lifted sanctions on Russia in return for Moscow releasing some diesel to the US and global markets, according to Donald Trump.
US and Ukrainian officials had told the Kyiv Independent ahead of the deal that Russia had demanded sanctions relief as part of its talks around a then-anticipated energy ceasefire.
Trump announced an energy ceasefire had been agreed after making the diesel deal with Russia, but neither side confirmed it and strikes have continued.
Ukraine's Starshield functionality in motion has been restored, source says
Ukraine's Starshield satellite internet functionality while in motion has been restored, a source in Ukraine's defence ministry said on Thursday, a day after the crucial service was throttled at speeds of over 100 miles per hour.
The source said the defence ministry would continue to seek clarification on the reasons for Wednesday's disruption of the military-grade version of SpaceX's internet service, which affected drone missions across the frontline.
Romania still searching for seven missing sailors after ship catches fire
The Romanian Naval Authority said on Thursday it is still searching for seven missing sailors out of 12-crew on a ship which is ablaze in its territorial waters.
The ship is the second ship to catch fire near the Danube's Sulina canal after a Russian overnight attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
Burnham seeks to restore ties between the US and Ukraine
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Andy Burnham said he was being “careful” in his language after Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, as he said he was “laying the ground” for a reconciliation.
He added: “I will listen to President Zelensky carefully, but he won’t be going away from Britain today empty-handed.”
During his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, he confirmed that the UK would accelerate the supply of crucial air defence missiles to Ukraine amid “heavy bombardment” from Russia.
The accelerated support will see faster deliveries of British lightweight multi-role missiles to Ukraine, which have proved effective against Russian jet-powered drones.
Russia continues to pound Ukraine’s power grid, as well as oil and gas facilities, after Mr Trump claimed that the two countries had agreed to an “energy ceasefire”.
Announcing new funding for repairs at Chernobyl, chancellor John Healey said: “As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Putin continues, our commitment to the Ukrainian people is unshakeable.
“We are curtailing the war chest funding Putin so desperately wants and backing the reconstruction of Ukraine that has suffered at the hands of his barbaric attacks.”
Foreign secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our message to [Vladimir] Putin is clear – we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail.
“Working with our allies, we are strengthening Ukraine’s security, raising the cost of Russia’s aggression and working towards a just and lasting peace.”
Six Russian Su-34s destroyed in strike on Voronezh air base, claims Ukraine
The Ukrainian navy says it destroyed six Russian Su-34m aircraft in a fresh strike on Borisoglebsk air base in Russia's Voronezh region.
The Sukhoi Su-34 is a medium fighter-bomber and strike aircraft that entered service only in 2014. Each unit costs around $36m USD.
Britain to fund repairs to Chernobyl plant hit by Russian drone attack
Britain will fund critical repairs to the Chernobyl power plant hit by a Russian drone attack as Andy Burnham sought to bolster support for Ukraine amid “dark and difficult days” for the war-torn country.
The UK will provide £17m to help restore its protective shelter and ventilation, which were damaged by an attack last year, amid concerns that corrosion could create longer-term environmental and safety risks.
Chancellor John Healey said the government’s commitment to the Ukrainian people was “unshakeable”, while foreign secretary Ed Miliband said Britain will “stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail”.
The UK’s funding pledge is part of a wider international programme coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, working alongside the Ukrainian government and G7 donors.
It comes after the prime minister hosted Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street on Wednesday, when he told the Ukrainian president the UK was “behind you and that will not change”.