▲ U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian authorities have claimed that restrictions continue on U.S. services used in the war against Russia, such as satellite communications and ballistic missile early warning intelligence.
While U.S. President Donald Trump denies ordering the restrictions, speculation persists that the measures are being utilized as leverage, aligning with a phase of pressuring Ukraine to make compromises for an end to the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated via the social media platform X on October 19 local time that speed restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications, which are used for military operations, remain ongoing.
"Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that the equipment stops working at speeds between 130 and 161 km/h across multiple front lines," he claimed, adding that "this is delaying logistics and limiting the use of drones, including medium-range attack drones and Shahed [suicide drones launched by Russia] interceptors."
Ukraine also emphasized that early warning intelligence regarding Russian ballistic missile attacks, which had been provided by the U.S., is not functioning smoothly.
According to the British daily The Telegraph, the Ukrainian Air Force received early warning signals sent by the U.S. a mere 60 seconds before Russia launched ballistic missiles targeting the capital, Kyiv.
Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, told The Telegraph that while early warning messages were delivered, "it was not as fast as we had hoped."
He implied that there was not enough time to take defensive action, noting that a warning for the first airstrike was not received at all, and "a warning for the second attack was received, but the ballistic missile arrived just a minute later."
Serhii Beskrestnov, a technical adviser to President Zelenskyy, also told the BBC that satellite communication speed limits persist and early warning intelligence sharing is not functioning properly.
He stated that there was no time to warn Ukrainians about the ballistic missile attack, resulting in casualties, and called it "a dangerous situation and a truly serious problem."
In an interview with NBC on October 18, President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude that U.S. intelligence sharing, which had been temporarily suspended, had resumed, but he effectively acknowledged just a day later that setbacks continue.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the issue, claiming it was a "software glitch" and not an intentional blockade.
However, suspicions remain unabated that the U.S. is intentionally restricting intelligence to coerce Ukraine into agreeing to an energy truce.
Adviser Beskrestnov stated that the simultaneous occurrence of issues with satellite communications and early warning intelligence sharing is "probably intended by the U.S. to tell us that we need to talk to Russia and find a compromise," expressing his belief that it is an intentional measure.
Ukraine has been publicly protesting as President Trump, ahead of the midterm elections, continues moves such as agreeing with Russia to purchase Russian diesel to stabilize oil prices and easing sanctions against Russia.
President Zelenskyy dismissed President Trump's recommendation for an "energy truce"—which urged a halt to attacks on Russian oil refineries—and launched large-scale bombings.
President Trump has publicly called for President Zelenskyy's resignation, even hinting at excluding Zelenskyy, who intends to continue the war, from future peace negotiations with Russia.
Under these circumstances, as disruptions repeatedly occur in U.S. satellite communications and early warning system services that are essential for Ukraine's war against Russia, analyses suggesting these are intentional outcomes are gaining traction.
The Washington Post (WP) also reported that the Trump administration has not approved support for interceptor missiles to Ukraine.
It has been reported that Ukraine has run out of air defense missiles and remains defenseless against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
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