Zelenskyy: Starlink Restrictions Will Cause Casualties

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on October 14, 2026 that Elon Musk's decision to restrict Starlink satellite internet services for Ukraine was a serious mistake that would result in human casualties. Zelensky spoke during the Piers Morgan Uncensored program.

Starlink Restrictions Impact

According to Zelensky, the limitations imposed on Starlink usage for Ukrainian military operations would directly affect the ability of Ukrainian forces to conduct surveillance and intercept enemy drones. He stressed that attack drones and interceptor drones rely heavily on Starlink connectivity. Removing or limiting this access puts Ukrainian soldiers at greater risk on the front lines.

Musk's Decision Criticized

Musk had announced restrictions on Starlink services for Ukraine earlier in October, reportedly limiting speeds for certain military applications. Ukrainian officials including Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov have expressed concern over the move, noting that same evening Fedorov announced partial restoration of Starlink at speeds up to 160 km/h for Ukrainian drones.