White House reportedly told Pentagon to slow Starshield for Ukraine

Pentagon leaders received instructions from inside the White House to slow Starshield service for Ukraine, according to three officials briefed on the matter, as Ukrainian officials reported disruptions to drone operations and partial restoration of connectivity. The officials, two from the United States and one Western, did not identify who issued the instruction or who implemented it. A senior U.S. official said President Donald Trump had made no such request. The White House did not clarify whether another administration official had directed the restrictions. Ukrainian officials said satellite terminals on fast-moving platforms stopped working properly, affecting military communications and drone missions. The reported effects included difficulties for drones used in operations against Russian forces and for interceptor drones intended to counter Russian Shahed attacks. The sources did not establish how many missions were affected. By Thursday, October 15, a Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said the terminals were working while moving at speeds up to 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometers per hour. The speed cap remained in place, Ukrainian officials said, and continued to...