Musk chose to restrict Ukraine's access to SpaceX network, sources say

A determination by Elon Musk led to restrictions connected Ukraine's usage of SpaceX's outer communications network, radical acquainted with the substance told CBS News.

The outer service, which is utilized for drone operations, hitting definite targets and protecting sites successful Ukraine, was slowed importantly past week.

Musk held aggregate conversations with medication officials starring up to the order, the sources said. He wanted clarity connected the president's reasoning connected the matter. Musk has expressed distaste with his institution being seen arsenic profiting from the continued warfare betwixt Russia and Ukraine.

It's not wide however Musk's bid to curtail work was executed.  

Musk licenses SpaceX's "Starshield" exertion to the U.S. government. He said past week the U.S. controls who tin entree the exertion and what level of work those users receive. 

"Any limits connected velocity oregon usage are decided by the US subject and yet POTUS," Musk, the world's richest person, wrote connected X.

Musk did not reply to a petition for comment. CBS News has reached retired to the White House and the Pentagon for comment.

The Wall Street Journal was archetypal to study connected Musk's order.

The impermanent restrictions came arsenic a astonishment to immoderate officials wrong the administration, who said neither Mr. Trump nor the Pentagon specifically ordered immoderate limits meant to deliberately disrupt drone operations and battlefield communications.

Mr. Trump said Monday helium was seeking details connected who ordered the slowdown.

"I don't cognize who it was, but I'd similar to find out," helium said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Pentagon has not manipulated the service.

"We haven't pulled thing back. There are presumption of work that yet request to beryllium complied to. And that's wherever Starlink has the enactment to marque those decisions, but nothing's changed from our view. We haven't made immoderate directives oregon thing similar that," Hegseth told reporters, adding that "we privation the Ukrainians, obviously, success."

Zelensky told NBC News connected Sunday determination were inactive limits connected Ukraine's Starshield service.

Aidan Stretch and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.