Reports have emerged that the access disruptions to Starshield, which is essential for Ukraine's drone attacks and defense against Russia, were intentional and carried out under instructions from the White House.

According to Reuters on the 16th local time, two U.S. officials and one Western official briefed on the matter confirmed that an order to restrict Starshield, the satellite system used for Ukraine's battlefield communications and drone operations, originated from within the White House.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they stated that the Pentagon leadership received a message instructing them to slow down Starshield, but declined to identify which White House official made the decision, Reuters reported.

Starshield is a military satellite system developed by the U.S. company SpaceX.

It is based on SpaceX's low-Earth orbit satellite internet service, Starlink, with added military functions such as observation, communication, and command and control.

The Ukrainian military has been supported with Starshield services by the U.S. government, attaching terminals to drones to attack key Russian facilities or shoot down incoming Russian attack drones.

Recently, disruptions have occurred, resulting in a loss of access or slowed speeds on Starshield.

A Ukrainian Defense Ministry official stated that while Starlink receiver terminals currently operate while drones are in motion, they stop working once speeds exceed 100 miles per hour (approx. 160 km/h), impairing the performance of the aircraft's guidance system.

Access and control rights for Starshield rest with the U.S. Department of Defense.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) on the 14th that "any limitations on the speed or usage of the Starshield system are determined by U.S. military authorities, ultimately the U.S. President."

This sparked widespread speculation over whether the service disruption for Ukraine was accidental or directed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, the situation turned out to be an intentional decision by the White House.

In fact, Ukrainian authorities inquired with the U.S. White House, State Department, and Department of Defense on the 13th and 14th regarding the background of the Starshield access restrictions, and were reportedly told that the measure stemmed from a White House decision.

Previously, reports surfaced that U.S. State Department and Defense Department officials had directly or indirectly warned that necessary weapons sales and intelligence sharing with Ukraine could be halted if it does not stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.

Ultimately, this move neutralizing Ukraine's drone attacks and defenses against Russia is expected to further fuel interpretations that the measure is tied to the friction between President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over attacks on Russian oil refineries and U.S.-Russia diesel trade.

President Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to implement an "energy ceasefire," blaming attacks on Russian oil refineries for surging diesel prices, which he considers a political liability ahead of the November midterm elections.

Contrary to President Trump's claims, media outlets reported that the consensus is that the impact of the U.S.-Iran war played a much larger role in the surge of diesel prices.

President Zelenskyy strongly pushed back, arguing that U.S. purchases of Russian diesel effectively financed Russia's war efforts.

Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries, and President Trump condemned the actions as "shameful."

With criticism over the U.S.-Russia diesel trade raised by U.S. Democrats as well as some Republicans, calls for a thorough investigation into the Starshield disruption are emerging across party lines, turning the issue into a political controversy.

The U.S. political media outlet The Hill reported that "Senate Republicans have begun verifying whether President Trump was involved in the disruption incident."

A senior U.S. official denied the claim to Reuters, stating, "The President has never made such a request."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)