Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at Elon Musk and the US, saying people will die because of the apparent decision to disrupt the Starlink internet network.
Starlink, which is controlled by Musk’s SpaceX, has been crucial in allowing Ukraine to guide drones and protect its skies from Russian attacks.
But on Tuesday night, unexpected new speed limits were implemented, disrupting Kyiv’s battlefield missions.
Ukraine believes the restrictions were not a coincidence, coming after days of strained tensions between Ukraine and the US.
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Speaking to Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Ukrainian president Zelensky accused the US and Musk of ‘switching off’ Starlink and said it was “their decision.”
In a message directed to Musk, Zelensky said it was a “big mistake” that will lead to “a lot of losses.”
He continued: “This decision will bring a lot of human losses […] of course, people will die if attacks continue and if Starlink will not work.”
Zelensky said he hoped it was a “mistake” but asked for Musk to switch the Starlink network “back on.”
Musk himself has suggested it was the US government and Trump who took the decision to implement the Starlink restrictions.
In a post on X, the billionaire said that Starshield, the military-grade sister service to Starlink, is controlled by the US government, and “any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president]”.
After Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Starlink had been partially restored by Wednesday evening, Musk defended SpaceX’s involvement in the disruption.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” he wrote.
Musk added that Starlink is for “civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company”.
The Starlink disruption comes after days of strains between Ukraine and the US.
Earlier this week, Trump stunned Ukraine and its allies by striking a deal with Vladimir Putin allowing Russia to export diesel to US and global markets.
This was followed by Trump declaring an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, which was broken after just hours by Putin.
Zelensky told Piers Morgan he felt “betrayed” by Trump, urging the US not to be on the wrong side of history.