The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, was the person who ordered the internet speed throttling of Starshield, the military version of Starlink that serves as a critical communication network for Ukraine.

Citing U.S. government officials and sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported the news on October 20 (local time).

According to the report, the measure followed expressed anger from U.S. President Donald Trump and Musk over Ukraine's recent drone strikes on Russian diesel refineries.

President Trump has blamed Ukraine's attacks as a cause of high oil prices.

Last week, Musk restricted the satellite network connection speed of Ukrainian equipment, rendering some of Ukraine's offensive and interceptor drones practically useless.

While the Wall Street Journal pointed to Musk as the one who gave the actual order, it presented conflicting accounts over whether the decision was coordinated in advance with President Trump or was Musk's independent choice.

According to two sources, shortly after the Starlink slowdown issue became public, President Trump spoke with Musk by phone during a campaign event to discuss the matter.

One of those sources stated that the two had also discussed related issues prior to restricting Starlink's speed.

Meanwhile, some U.S. officials maintain that Musk acted unilaterally and that President Trump did not specifically order any retaliation against Ukraine.

However, another source said that Musk had discussed the matter in advance with senior government officials, including President Trump.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly protested that Ukrainian lives could be lost if Starlink was not restored, confusion mounted over who ordered the slowdown, prompting an informal investigation inside the White House.

SpaceX officials reportedly contacted the White House in an attempt to deliver a consistent message that the company and the Trump administration had consulted in advance prior to Musk's directive.

Hours later, Musk himself shifted the responsibility to the U.S. government on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "All restrictions on the speed and use of the Starshield system are determined by U.S. military authorities, ultimately the U.S. President."

On the other hand, President Trump denied that he had ordered it.

He stated on October 16 regarding the Starlink speed limit, "It wasn't me. It probably wasn't Elon either."

Regarding this, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also stated on the same day, "We did not restrict anything," adding, "(For the use of Starshield,) there are ultimately terms of service that must be followed, and Starlink has the discretion to make decisions in that regard."

The incident has escalated tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine to a peak, while once again highlighting Musk's immense influence as the holder of a lifeline communication network for Ukrainian forces on the front lines.

The Wall Street Journal reported, "With the flick of a light switch, Musk has the power to alter the course of this lethal war."

(Photo: Getty Images)