Elon Musk has blamed Donald Trump for restrictions imposed on his Starlink communications service, after Ukraine reported nationwide interruptions hampering frontline operations and defences against Russian attacks.
The SpaceX boss, formerly Trump’s efficiency tsar, responded on Thursday to a post from Ukraine’s foreign minister Mykhailo Fedorov saying the technology was “critical” for the country as officials started reporting limitations imposed on terminals moving at speed.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk said, referring to the military version of Starlink, developed by the Pentagon. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and POTUS.”
While Musk has said the two systems are separate, in many cases they share the same underlying satellite technology and the distinction is not always clear-cut. Starshield's secure services use enhanced encryption and dedicated terminals, but rely on the vast Starlink constellation as their backbone.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told the FT that the suspension was presented to Kyiv as a technical glitch, but dismissed the idea that failures of the system may have been caused by a fault: “It was not a technical problem, it was the will.”
Read MoreMusk blames Trump for slowing down Starlink access for Ukrainian army
Elon Musk has just shown why Trump and the US are now the enemy within
Zelensky says Trump is on the wrong side of history with Russia diesel deal: ‘Putin is laughing’
Britain pledges £17 million to repair Chernobyl power plant hit by Russian drone strike
Key Points
- Zelensky says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian refineries
- People were killed as Starlink has been down, Zelensky says
- Trump ‘blindsided’ his own Ukraine peace envoys by agreeing diesel deal with Putin
- Energy ceasefire is 'the worst version peace', Zelensky says
- US 'floats unfreezing some Russian assets' to restart Ukraine peace talks
- Ukraine's Starshield functionality in motion has been restored, source says
Watch: Piers Morgan issues direct television address to Trump after Zelensky's bombshell interview
12:00 , James ReynoldsRussia strikes Ukraine's Izmail port and cargo vessels
11:30 , Namita SinghRussia has struck Izmail port in Ukraine's Black Sea Odesa region and has also hit two cargo vessels en route to Odesa, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram, claiming they were being used for military purposes.
Watch: Trump rates on-off pal Elon Musk’s intelligence in Arizona rally
11:00 , James ReynoldsUK throws weight behind Ukraine amid strained ties with the US
10:30 , Namita SinghVolodymyr Zelensky received an unprecedented honour guard made up of troops from the Irish Guards on his arrival at No 10.
The meeting came during a period of strained relations between Ukraine and the US after Donald Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel last week as high fuel prices in America threatened to overshadow November’s mid-term elections.
The UK responded to news of the deal by pledging to “maintain pressure on Russia”.
In recent days, the US president has also suggested Ukraine needs a new leader and claimed Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants a peace deal more than the government in Kyiv.
Mr Zelensky has also said use of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications system was “blocked” and that as a result “people will die”, admitting that he felt betrayed by Mr Trump.
“It’s a pity that we are losing, we are losing a strong partner,” he told Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Top story: US 'floats unfreezing some Russian assets' to restart Ukraine peace talks
10:18 , James ReynoldsThe US has proposed that European countries unfreeze some Russian sovereign assets immobilised after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and transfer them to a vehicle overseen by Washington in an attempt to revive peace talks, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter.
European delegates rebuffed the plan, which was pitched by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the report said.
It comes after the US lifted sanctions on Russia in return for Moscow releasing some diesel to the US and global markets, according to Donald Trump.
US and Ukrainian officials had told the Kyiv Independent ahead of the deal that Russia had demanded sanctions relief as part of its talks around a then-anticipated energy ceasefire.
Trump announced an energy ceasefire had been agreed after making the diesel deal with Russia, but neither side confirmed it and strikes have continued.
Ukraine's Starshield functionality in motion has been restored, source says
10:09 , James ReynoldsUkraine's Starshield satellite internet functionality while in motion has been restored, a source in Ukraine's defence ministry said on Thursday, a day after the crucial service was throttled at speeds of over 100 miles per hour.
The source said the defence ministry would continue to seek clarification on the reasons for Wednesday's disruption of the military-grade version of SpaceX's internet service, which affected drone missions across the frontline.
Romania still searching for seven missing sailors after ship catches fire
10:08 , James ReynoldsThe Romanian Naval Authority said on Thursday it is still searching for seven missing sailors out of 12-crew on a ship which is ablaze in its territorial waters.
The ship is the second ship to catch fire near the Danube's Sulina canal after a Russian overnight attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
Burnham seeks to restore ties between the US and Ukraine
09:30 , Namita SinghDuring Prime Minister’s Questions, Andy Burnham said he was being “careful” in his language after Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, as he said he was “laying the ground” for a reconciliation.
He added: “I will listen to President Zelensky carefully, but he won’t be going away from Britain today empty-handed.”
During his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, he confirmed that the UK would accelerate the supply of crucial air defence missiles to Ukraine amid “heavy bombardment” from Russia.
The accelerated support will see faster deliveries of British lightweight multi-role missiles to Ukraine, which have proved effective against Russian jet-powered drones.
Russia continues to pound Ukraine’s power grid, as well as oil and gas facilities, after Mr Trump claimed that the two countries had agreed to an “energy ceasefire”.
Announcing new funding for repairs at Chernobyl, chancellor John Healey said: “As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Putin continues, our commitment to the Ukrainian people is unshakeable.
“We are curtailing the war chest funding Putin so desperately wants and backing the reconstruction of Ukraine that has suffered at the hands of his barbaric attacks.”
Foreign secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our message to [Vladimir] Putin is clear – we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail.
“Working with our allies, we are strengthening Ukraine’s security, raising the cost of Russia’s aggression and working towards a just and lasting peace.”
Six Russian Su-34s destroyed in strike on Voronezh air base, claims Ukraine
09:02 , James ReynoldsThe Ukrainian navy says it destroyed six Russian Su-34m aircraft in a fresh strike on Borisoglebsk air base in Russia's Voronezh region.
The Sukhoi Su-34 is a medium fighter-bomber and strike aircraft that entered service only in 2014. Each unit costs around $36m USD.
Britain to fund repairs to Chernobyl plant hit by Russian drone attack
08:30 , Namita SinghBritain will fund critical repairs to the Chernobyl power plant hit by a Russian drone attack as Andy Burnham sought to bolster support for Ukraine amid “dark and difficult days” for the war-torn country.
The UK will provide £17m to help restore its protective shelter and ventilation, which were damaged by an attack last year, amid concerns that corrosion could create longer-term environmental and safety risks.
Chancellor John Healey said the government’s commitment to the Ukrainian people was “unshakeable”, while foreign secretary Ed Miliband said Britain will “stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will do so until they prevail”.
The UK’s funding pledge is part of a wider international programme coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, working alongside the Ukrainian government and G7 donors.
It comes after the prime minister hosted Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street on Wednesday, when he told the Ukrainian president the UK was “behind you and that will not change”.
No warning ahead of missiles
07:30 , Namita SinghRescue workers in Kyiv were stretchering the injured from the wreckage of a blasted-out residential building overnight, while firefighters battled a huge blaze in the darkness. Officials said 2 people were killed and 21 wounded at the site.
Some 600,000 people were left without power as Russian missiles struck power stations during hours of attacks that primarily targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine's two biggest cities.
Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed it had struck four power plants in and around Kyiv and two in Kharkiv, among other targets. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said 30 energy facilities were damaged.
Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 14, 2026
Zelensky cast the latest Russian attacks as a deliberate snub to Donald Trump's declaration of a ceasefire on energy targets.
"Russia does not consider the American President's statements strong," Zelensky wrote on X.
"The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States."
Zelensky says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian refineries
06:35 , Namita SinghUkraine will resume strikes on Russian refineries, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday.
“The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president also hit out at Trump in the interview, expressing anger over the US’s “dangerous” withdrawal of Starlink access for Ukraine’s military and criticising Trump’s “love” for autocrats like Vladimir Putin.
It comes days after the Trump administration threatened to suspend a mechanism used to buy US weapons for Ukraine unless Kyiv stops striking Russian energy infrastructure.
On 11 October, the US president made a surprise announcement that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Ukraine says it has observed the ceasefire despite the announcement taking Kyiv by surprise, but Russia has repeatedly violated it throughout the week.
No warning before Starlink cuts
06:30 , Namita SinghUkrainian military officials said Elon Musk's SpaceX had without warning started to interrupt functioning of its military-grade terminals when they were moving at high speed.
Kyiv installs SpaceX receptors in many of its drones as part of their onboard guidance systems. The terminals operate across Ukraine, including in territory held by Russian forces.
"Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation, and this led to the disruption of several missions," presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram, saying the restriction affected Starshield, SpaceX's military and intelligence service.
The speed cutoff hampers Ukraine's ability to conduct strikes on Russian targets inside Ukraine, and also to defend itself from Russian drones using its own interceptor drones, according to a Defence Ministry source and another military source.
Beskrestnov said SpaceX had imposed a speed limit of 160kmph. The Defence Ministry source told Reuters military units had reported guidance systems losing their connections at speeds of less than half that.
The Defence Ministry source said Ukraine was in contact with the company, the US government and Nato to seek clarification over the sudden limitations.
The suggestion that Musk's company had limited Ukrainian military capabilities drew a sharp response from Poland, which pays for Ukrainian Starlink subscriptions on Kyiv's behalf.
"Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again?" Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski asked Musk on X. "As your European customers, we are watching you."There was no immediate response from Musk, who in the past has called Sikorski a "small man".
Russia strikes Ukraine's Izmail port and cargo vessels
06:10 , Namita SinghRussia has struck Izmail port in Ukraine's Black Sea Odesa region and has also hit two cargo vessels en route to Odesa, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram, claiming they were being used for military purposes.
Recap: Ukraine says Starlink restrictions are hampering its attack and defence operations
05:30 , Namita SinghUkraine said Elon Musk’s SpaceX had restricted Starlink services on Wednesday, hampering the country's attack and air-defence drone missions as worsening ties with Washington fuel concerns over US battlefield support.
Russia launched more missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in attacks that president Volodymyr Zelensky called “ostentatious disrespect” for US president Donald Trump’s so-called energy ceasefire.
Trump turned on Zelensky after lifting sanctions on Russian diesel. He told Kyiv to stop attacking Russian refineries and urged Ukrainians to replace Zelensky.
"It's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side," Zelensky told "Piers Morgan Uncensored".
He said he was OK with Trump being in the middle of Ukraine and Russia, but "if you are in the middle, you have to stay in the middle."
Asked about the restriction on the military version of SpaceX's Starlink services in Ukraine, Zelensky said: "It's a big mistake ... This decision will bring a lot of human losses." He did not say who was responsible.
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, which operates Starlink, said the US government controlled the system's speeds.
"Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS," Musk wrote on the social media platform X, using the acronym for president of the United States. Musk is a close political ally of Trump's.
In the interview, Zelensky also dismissed Trump's comment that Ukraine needed a new leader. "It is a decision of our people," Zelensky said. "No Trump, no Musk, not anyone in the world can choose the president or elect in other countries."
Chancellor calls for tighter Russian shipping sanctions
04:30 , Namita SinghChancellor John Healey called on other nations to tighten sanctions on Russia-linked shipping, as he prepared to meet his foreign counterparts at the International Monetary Fund's annual meetings in Bangkok on Thursday.
"My message to finance ministers here today ... on Ukraine, is to stay the path on tough economic sanctions on Russia, especially a tighter ban on shipping services ... that help (Russian president Vladimir) Putin's sanctions-busting shadow fleet to operate," he said.
Britain has imposed a series of sanctions on shipping and related services that it believes Russia uses to fund and equip its war on Ukraine.
However, a US official on Wednesday said the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on so-called shadow fleet vessels that have transported oil and petroleum products from countries including Russia, Iran and Venezuela, in an effort to reduce record-high global freight rates.
US 'floats unfreezing some Russian assets' to restart Ukraine peace talks
03:52 , Adam WithnallThe US has proposed that European countries unfreeze some Russian sovereign assets immobilised after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and transfer them to a vehicle overseen by Washington in an attempt to revive peace talks, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter.
European delegates rebuffed the plan, which was pitched by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the report said.
US-Russia diesel deal can pave way for further economic cooperation, says Kremlin envoy
03:00 , Alex CroftThe US-Russia diesel deal can pave the way for further economic cooperation between the two countries, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Wednesday.
He added that Moscow would overcome any sanctions-related difficulties to ensure the diesel supplies.
The example of diesel cooperation with the US "will open other opportunities as well," he told reporters.
Read more about the US-Russia diesel deal here.
Watch: Zelensky tells Elon Musk 'people will die' over Starlink restrictions
02:00 , Bryony GoochPutin set to discuss cybersecurity challenges with top officials - Kremlin
01:00 , Alex CroftRussian President Vladimir Putin will discuss cybersecurity with top officials on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as an increasingly pressing issue.
He added that a number of countries were seeking to turn cyber technologies into weapons and Russia needed to be ready to face such challenges.
Trump ‘blindsided’ his own Ukraine peace envoys by agreeing diesel deal with Putin: report
Thursday 15 October 2026 00:01 , Alex CroftThe United States promised Ukraine extra post-war security guarantees just before Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russia for diesel exports and upended the negotiations, according to reports.
Volodymyr Zelensky has been emphatic about the need for security assurances in any deal agreed with Vladimir Putin amid concerns that Moscow is already ignoring a supposed energy ceasefire announced by Trump earlier this week.
During six-hour talks in Miami last weekend, special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner suggested that the president was willing to strengthen protections for Ukraine as part of a revised peace plan, according to The Telegraph.
However, the discussions were frustrated after Trump agreed to allow Putin to export diesel to the US and globally amid rising fuel costs worldwide.
Trump ‘blindsided his own Ukraine peace envoys by agreeing deal with Putin’
White House officials deny control over Space X - report
Wednesday 14 October 2026 23:48 , Bryony GoochWhite House officials have reportedly denied any control over SpaceX amid a growing disagreement over restrictions placed on Starlink and Starshields in Ukraine.
Earlier Elon Musk claimed that Donald Trump controlled Starshields.
Now, Axios correspondent Barak Ravid has said: “White House officials told the Ukrainians they don't have control over SpaceX, the sources said. One of the sources said the Trump administration is going to reach out to SpaceX to figure out what happened.”
White House officials told the Ukrainians they don't have control over SpaceX, the sources said. One of the sources said the Trump administration is going to reach out to SpaceX to figure out what happened https://t.co/P5xe8scBiN
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 14, 2026
Ukraine attacks Russia's biggest data centre
Wednesday 14 October 2026 23:00 , Alex CroftUkraine has launched an attack on Russia's biggest data centre, owned by the country's largest bank and technology company, Sberbank, a senior company executive said on Wednesday.
"We confirm that the data processing centre was attacked. At the same time, all of Sberbank's systems and services are operating normally and without disruption," Sberbank First Deputy CEO Alexander Vedyakhin told reporters.
The strike in the Saratov region on the Volga River followed three attacks in the past week on data centres owned by Russian tech group Yandex. Ukraine says it is responding to Russian attacks on its own data sites.
Along with Yandex, its main domestic rival, Sberbank is Russia's leading developer of artificial intelligence. The domestic market is shared between Sberbank's GigaChat model and YandexGPT.
Watch: Meloni hits out at Trump over ‘very risky’ diesel deal with Putin
Wednesday 14 October 2026 22:00 , Alex CroftElections impossible to do as drones swarm the country and soldiers unable to vote from front line, says Zelensky
Wednesday 14 October 2026 21:16 , Bryony GoochUkraine’s president has said it’s impossible to do an election as a point of security with drones swarming the country.
Responding to comments by Donald Trump and Elon Musk that he should step down, Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Each hour we have attacks. This massive attack that we discussed, it was about night. But during the day, the same drones are here; hundreds and thousands each hour attack. So that's why, from a security, you can't do elections.
“Then soldiers are on the front. We can't choose the president without soldiers because they give and gave their lives. They are the first who have to vote, and I think it's fair.”
People were killed as Starlink has been down, Zelensky says
Wednesday 14 October 2026 21:09 , Bryony GoochVolodymyr Zelensky has said people were killed while Starlink has been down because they were unable to intercept drones.
“We use drones with Starlink,” he told Piers Morgan. “So it's not about just just attack, as as I said, we didn't didn't attack their energy. It's not about attack. It's also about defending the lives.”
Elon Musk said on X that Starlink usage was limited to civilian or defensive activities and could not be used for offensive military action.
Mr Zelensky added: “So people were killed because not enough destroying, not enough interceptors, including interceptors with Starlink, which didn't work, of course.”
Energy ceasefire is 'the worst version peace', Zelensky says
Wednesday 14 October 2026 21:03 , Bryony GoochVolodymyr Zelensky described the energy ceasefire as “the worst version of peace.”
He told Piers Morgan: “They wanted us not to attack diesel. My opinion was it's not fair. Energy ceasefire, it's okay, t's understandable. I mean, it's the worst version of peace. But anyway, it's some steps to the peace.”
He continued: “We support it because we need our people to live to go through this winter and to stop the war. This is what we want.”
Kyiv denies it hit Russian refineries
Wednesday 14 October 2026 21:01 , Alex CroftA Ukrainian presidential adviser denied on Wednesday Russian statements that Kyiv's military struck Russian refineries earlier in the day.
Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters that Ukraine struck a data centre and another unnamed target but not refineries.
Trump controls Starshield systems, Musk claims
Wednesday 14 October 2026 20:56 , Bryony GoochElon Musk responded to Ukraine’s former ministry of defence as Starlink and Starshield are down in the nation.
Mykhailo Fedorov said on X: “Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored. Removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense. Thank you, @elonmusk. We hope for your continued support.”
Responding, Musk said that the Trump controls Starshield systems while Starlink was only for defensive activities, as he implied that it was being used for offensive action.
“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. Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX.
“Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company.”
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.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2026
Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities…
Russia says Ukraine hit two oil refineries on Wednesday
Wednesday 14 October 2026 20:01 , Alex CroftRussian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday that Ukraine attacked two oil refineries during the day, in Saratov and Ryazan regions.
"We see no indication that the Ukrainian side is moving towards an energy ceasefire," he said.
Watch: Zelensky tells Elon Musk 'people will die' over Starlink restrictions
Wednesday 14 October 2026 19:18 , Bryony GoochUK’s support for Ukraine ‘will not change’, Burnham tells Zelensky
Wednesday 14 October 2026 19:15 , Bryony GoochAndy Burnham pledged that Britain’s support for Ukraine “will not change” as he welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian president received an unprecedented honour guard on his arrival at No 10, made up of troops from the Irish Guards, amid what the Prime Minister described as “dark and difficult days” for his country.
Mr Burnham told Mr Zelensky: “You have seen the solidarity and the support you have got from everybody here in Britain.
“We are behind you and that will not change.
Watch: Zelensky feels 'betrayed' over Trump announcing energy ceasefire and diesel deal with Putin
Wednesday 14 October 2026 19:11 , Bryony GoochZelensky says he regrets difficulties over Starlink and intelligence sharing
Wednesday 14 October 2026 19:00 , Alex CroftUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said it was a pity his country had experienced difficulties with Starlink services and intelligence, saying he had been surprised by developments in his partnership with the United States.
"It's a pity that we had also some difficulties... about Starlink, about intelligence, I mean a lot of different surprises on which you can't count when you have real partnership and we count on partnership with the United States," he said.
"We just want to be very honest, very clear and be strong partners."
Zelensky was speaking in London alongside British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with Britain seeking to show support for the Ukrainian leader as his relationship with the US deteriorates.
Zelensky: Ukraine feels 'betrayed' by US
Wednesday 14 October 2026 18:52 , Bryony GoochAsked by Piers Morgan whether he felt “betrayed” by the events of the last few days, including Mr Trump’s diesel deal and claims an energy ceasefire had been agreed to by both Russia and Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Really, yes, between us.”
He added: “Our country has to survive, and we count on our real partners, strategic partners, the United States and President Trump.”
Mr Zelensky said that while an energy ceasefire “is OK” and “some step to peace”, it was not respected by Russia, which continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“It is a pity that we are losing a strong partner,” Mr Zelensky said.
He added: “Now Putin is laughing because, I mean, this is for him, simple victory – this diesel deal.”
