KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that the U.S. has stopped sharing some forms of key intelligence with Kyiv, including warnings of incoming ballistic missiles, and that SpaceX had restricted its Starshield military satellite service without notice. The disclosures mark a public escalation in tensions between the two allies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv the previous day came with no warning from partners. He said Ukraine held fire on Russian energy targets for three days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire on Sunday, but that Russia continued striking Ukrainian power plants.
“Unfortunately, there was a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv yesterday, and there was no warning from our partners regarding this attack. Usually, such a warning is provided, and it is a crucial factor that aids our defense,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “Intelligence data on the launch of Russian ballistic missiles helps save people’s lives.”
Kyiv residents heard at least five powerful explosions Sunday night before air-raid sirens sounded. Reports then emerged that strike drones, interceptors and frontline vehicles were losing connection above roughly 100 mph (160 km/h), units across the country reported. By Wednesday, multiple officials confirmed that SpaceX had restricted Starshield, the military version of Starlink, without notice.
“This complicates UAV missions, particularly those involving interceptors and mid-range strike drones, and hampers capabilities for frontline logistics, reconnaissance, and signal relay,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement Wednesday.
Trump has denied any interruption in Starlink connectivity or incoming missile warnings. He reportedly threatened to cut off intelligence and weapons sales to Kyiv if it kept striking Russia’s oil infrastructure, according to CNN, days after telling allies the U.S. would ease sanctions on Russian diesel during peace talks in Miami.
Zelenskyy ended the pause on hitting Russian energy facilities Wednesday, telling the Financial Times, “We’re done.”
The U.S. intelligence relationship has been indispensable for Ukraine’s defensive and offensive operations, according to Ukrainian officials, who said curtailing it could cost civilian lives and undermine the stalemate along the frontline.
Sources: Defense News