Report: White House ordered Ukraine network slowdown | NHK WORLD

Report: White House ordered Ukraine network slowdown

Ukrainian forces have relied on a US satellite service in their fight against Russia. However, they have recently been facing restrictions that hamper their operations. Now, a media report says the White House directed officials to slow down connection speeds.

Ukrainian defense officials said this week that they have been impaired by the limitations in the satellite network. They added that it affected efforts to intercept Russian drones and to launch strikes of their own.

Reports said connections have since been "restored to full capacity." However, Reuters cites sources as saying that the White House told the Pentagon that the service "needed to be slowed."

The network is provided by SpaceX, whose CEO is Elon Musk. He said the affected system is Starshield, a military version of the company's satellite network, and that it is owned and controlled by the US government. He added that the military, and ultimately the president, sets the limits.

However, President Donald Trump on Friday denied giving the order.

He said: "I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon. From my understanding, it's the same as it's always been."

The report comes as Washington and Kyiv appear increasingly out of step.

Trump thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for agreeing to help boost diesel supplies this month, and he has warned Kyiv to stop attacks against Russian oil refineries.