Starlink Disruptions Hit Ukraine Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Europe seeks alternatives as satellite network access remains contested; local ceasefire agreed near Oleshky.
Carla Rooney
Ukraine has experienced disruptions in its access to the Starlink satellite network.
This followed accusations that the White House decided to 'throttle back' the speed of Musk's satellite systems. Sources indicate Mr. Musk conceived the idea to throttle back the satellite systems, with the president endorsing the move.
Other individuals suggest the decision rested entirely with Mr. Musk and his team, possibly to send a message to President Zelensky. Marco Rubio stated that Starshield, another satellite system, is not currently available to Ukraine.
Donald Trump maintains a vested interest in plausible deniability regarding the Starlink issue; neither Mr. Musk nor President Trump want Ukraine to win. Europe needs to develop alternatives to Starlink and Starshield.
The continent is developing its own military-grade satellite network, Iris², expected to be operational by 2029. Space projects, including satellite network development, require significant time and funding.
The vulnerability of undersea cables, which carry most of the world's communications, underscores the critical role of satellite communication as a backup. Separately, Russian authorities reported power cuts in Russian-annexed Crimea following a Ukrainian drone attack.
Russian-backed authorities also reported at least three people killed and one wounded in a Ukrainian strike in Kharkiv. Ukraine’s General Staff said Saturday that its forces hit a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti.
Tolyatti Mayor Ilya Sukhikh said the overnight attack damaged industrial facilities in the city. Russia agreed to resume trilateral talks with Washington and Kyiv next month.
Both Russia and Ukraine accepted a local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump around Oleshky.