---
title: "Rubio: Ukraine Has No Access to Starshield, White House Did Not Slow Down Drone Communication — Kyiv Claims Otherwise"
description: "US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Ukraine lacks access to the Starshield satellite system and denied White House involvement in drone communication glitches. Kyiv claims otherwise and points to an active speed limit."
date: 2026-10-18T02:54:37.948Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/rubio-ukraine-starshield-white-house-drone-communication
tags: [ukraine, us, starshield, starlink, marco-rubio, drones, space-x]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Rubio: Ukraine Has No Access to Starshield, White House Did Not Slow Down Drone Communication — Kyiv Claims Otherwise

![US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a State Department podium during a press conference](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/rubio-ukraina-starshield-belyy-dom-svyaz-dronov/rubio-ukraina-starshield-belyy-dom-svyaz-dronov-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Rubio stated that Ukraine does not yet have access to Starshield, although it requested it for long-range strikes.
- The US Secretary of State called information about White House involvement in Starlink/Starshield glitches "categorically false."
- Ukrainian adviser Beskrestnov reported that Starshield is used for interceptor drones, and a 160 km/h limit has been active since the night of October 14.
- Elon Musk indicated that Starshield belongs to the US government, with restrictions set by the military and the president; Trump stated he issued no such order.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to journalists from Magno News as cited by RBC-Ukraine, stated that Ukraine currently has no access to the Starshield military satellite system. According to him, the Ukrainian side had requested such access to carry out long-range strikes deep into Russian territory, but, as the Secretary of State emphasized, this access has not been granted yet. Rubio also categorically rejected accusations that US authorities were involved in disruptions to Starlink and Starshield, calling such reports "categorically false information"ა.

### Washington's Position: No Orders to Slow Down

Responding to questions about potential connection speed restrictions, Rubio stated that "no one in the White House ordered anyone to slow down the internet or reduce connection speed so certain drones could not use it." According to him, as far as he knows, the system is currently operating normally again. Thus, Washington distances itself from any accusations of intentional interference with the satellite communications used by the Ukrainian military.

### Kyiv's Version: Interceptor Guidance and the 160 km/h Limit

The statements of the US Secretary of State diverge from the position of the Ukrainian side. Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian president on defense technologies, told AP in an interview that Ukraine uses Starshield to control interceptor drones. It is precisely for this service package, according to him, that a speed limit of 160 km/h has been in effect since the night of October 14. Beskrestnov emphasized that Starshield is not used on Russian territory or for strikes against Russian oil refineries, and the imposed limit has still not been lifted. Kyiv, he said, is holding talks with the Pentagon, SpaceX, and the US government on this issue.

### The Role of Musk and Trump Regarding Restrictions

SpaceX owner Elon Musk previously noted that the Starshield system belongs to the US government, and restrictions on it are set by the US military and ultimately the country's president. US President Donald Trump himself assured that he did not issue an order to restrict the system's operation. These statements form an additional dimension of discussion: formal responsibility for Starshield's operating parameters lies with American military structures, according to Musk, while the White House and the head of state personally deny initiating any restrictions.

### Context: Parallel Truce Negotiations

Rubio's statements about Starshield came against the backdrop of his other reports regarding diplomatic efforts. Speaking on the OAN television channel, the Secretary of State reported that Russia has expressed interest in a limited truce with Ukraine, which should include an end to mutual strikes on energy infrastructure. According to him, such an agreement could partially reduce global tension, and the US intends to continue efforts to achieve it. The issue of access to satellite communications and drone control in this context remains one of the key technical and political points where the positions of the parties do not yet align.

## Accounts differ

### Does Ukraine have access to Starshield

- **US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:** Ukraine requested access to Starshield for long-range strikes but does not yet have access to this system. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))
- **Adviser to the President of Ukraine Serhii Beskrestnov:** Ukraine uses Starshield to control interceptor drones. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))

*Where they agree:* The Ukrainian side requested access to Starshield and uses/used satellite communications to control unmanned aerial vehicles; both sides acknowledge the fact of the request and the use of communication for drones.

### US involvement in communication restrictions/glitches

- **US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:** No one in the White House ordered to slow down the internet or reduce connection speed for drones; the system, as far as he knows, is working again. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))
- **Adviser to the President of Ukraine Serhii Beskrestnov:** Since the night of October 14, a speed limit of 160 km/h has been in effect for the Starshield package, the limit has not been lifted, and Ukraine is negotiating with the Pentagon, SpaceX, and the US government. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))
- **Elon Musk:** Starshield belongs to the US government, with restrictions set by the American military and ultimately the president. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))
- **US President Donald Trump:** Did not issue an order to restrict the system's operation. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html))

*Where they agree:* Restrictions/glitches were recorded in satellite communications for Ukrainian drones, and the issue is being resolved through negotiations.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Рубио заверил, что Белый дом не приказывал замедлять Starlink для дронов ВСУ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rubio-zapevniv-shcho-biliy-dim-nakazuvav-1792291703.html) - Primary source: Rubio's quotes about Starshield access and the absence of slowdown orders, as well as statements by Beskrestnov, Musk, and Trump.
- [США пытаются добиться энергетического перемирия - Рубио заверил, что РФ заинтересована](https://kp.ua/politics/a736401-ssha-pytajutsja-dobitsja-enerheticheskoho-peremirija-rubio-zaveril-chto-rf-zainteresovana-) - Context: Rubio's statements on Russia's readiness for a limited energy truce following a meeting with Lavrov.
- [Белый дом пригласил Путина на саммит G20](https://rus.delfi.lv/57862/v-mire/120135661/belyy-dom-priglasil-putina-na-sammit-g20) - Подтверждено по источнику rus.delfi.lv

## FAQ

### Does Ukraine have access to Starshield according to Rubio?

Rubio stated that Ukraine requested access to Starshield for long-range strikes but does not have it yet. The Ukrainian side claims it uses the system to control interceptor drones.

### Is the White House involved in communication glitches according to Washington?

Rubio called reports of White House involvement "categorically false information" and stated that no one ordered a slowdown of the connection for drones.

### What limit is active according to the Ukrainian side?

According to adviser Beskrestnov, a speed limit of 160 km/h has been in effect for the Starshield package used for interceptor drones since the night of October 14, and it has not yet been lifted.

### Who sets restrictions for Starshield according to Elon Musk?

Musk noted that Starshield belongs to the US government, and restrictions are set by the US military and ultimately the president. Trump stated he did not give an order to restrict it.