The answer remains unclear.
During a visit to London on Wednesday, Zelensky had said he hoped it was just a mistake, however, in a later interview with the Financial Times, he said: “It was not a technical problem, it was the will.”
Musk said that Starshield is managed by the US government and suggested the Pentagon could be responsible.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” he wrote on X, external. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS [the president of the United States].”
He added: “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.”
The BBC has contacted the White House and Pentagon for comment.
The restrictions on Tuesday night came as Russia launched deadly attacks against Ukraine that left 600,000 without power and hit communications and energy facilities used by Ukraine’s military. Residents said they received no warning of incoming drones before they hit.
“It is clear that this action cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation,” Zelensky’s adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram on Wednesday morning.
Relations between the US and Ukraine have worsened recently, especially since the US announced a deal with Russia to import its diesel into the American market.
Zelensky called it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and in response Donald Trump said he thinks “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president”.
On Sunday, Trump announced a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, but three days later, Ukraine said it would resume the strikes, accusing Russia of ignoring it (the Kremlin said it had never agreed to a ceasefire), and the US of withdrawing crucial support.
Zelensky has accused the US of threatening to withhold crucial intelligence if Ukraine continues striking Russian oil facilities. Trump has denied this, but last week told reporters that Zelensky had “better damn well stop” the strikes.
While in London, Zelensky agreed that he felt betrayed by the US.
Trump’s deal with Russia is his administration’s latest effort to lower US fuel prices ahead of next month’s midterm elections, after months spent grappling with the political consequences of the Iran war which has seen prices skyrocket, souring his standing with the American public.
