Canadian PM links satellite speed limits to civilian deaths in Ukraine

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Friday that a recent limitation on Ukraine's use of military satellite technology is directly responsible for civilian deaths in the country. Speaking from Istanbul, Carney criticized the decision makers behind the move, questioning their judgment during an active conflict. He described the situation as involving a nation fighting for its citizens' lives against what he termed naked aggression. Carney admitted that finding the right word to describe the decision was difficult but expressed deep concern over the outcome.

Ukrainian officials reported early last week that they had lost partial access to Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink system. The network is essential for tracking incoming missiles and jet-powered drones as well as guiding interceptor and spy drones. While Starlink manages critical internal communications, Starshield handles the defense tracking. The loss of this capability has created a specific blind spot in Ukraine's air defenses.

Disagreement persists over who ordered the restriction. Reuters cited two U.S. officials last week who said the order originated from the White House. Conversely, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Elon Musk issued the command personally. Musk maintains that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, with President Donald Trump holding final authority over restrictions. Trump has denied ordering the curbs. On Friday, he stated that he did not know who was responsible and would not speculate even if he did.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims the restrictions prevent Ukraine from tracking drones and missiles traveling faster than 160 kilometers per hour. This speed barrier has complicated efforts to repel Russian attacks, leading to civilian casualties, including children. Carney supported this assessment, noting that the restrictions have human consequences. He cited a recent strike in central Kyiv within the past 36 hours, describing it as a direct attack on citizens with no military target, which resulted in immense suffering.

Conflicting reports exist regarding whether access has been restored. On Thursday, Trump said Musk had already put Ukraine back on the network. Zelenskyy contradicted this in a CNN interview, stating that the system still does not work. Ukrainian military officials confirmed on Friday that the restrictions remain in place. In an NBC interview on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he, his government, and his generals believe the U.S. government sent the message to limit speed, which SpaceX then executed technically.

The timing of the restrictions coincides with strained relations between Kyiv and Washington. Trump is pushing Ukraine to accept stronger concessions for a peace deal. He has also urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, though Starshield is not used on those drones because it does not operate over Russian territory. The current dispute adds another layer of complexity to ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Carney used the incident to discuss Canada's own vulnerabilities. Without naming Trump, he warned that relying on an ally that might change its view places Canadians at risk. He said this realization is driving decisions to diversify partnerships and build sovereign capabilities. Carney acknowledged that this process will take time because Canada is currently highly reliant on specific systems in certain countries.

Ukraine is already moving to reduce its dependence on the U.S. network. On Thursday, Zelenskyy signed a letter of intent with Finnish companies Nokia and ICEYE. The agreement aims to develop a Ukrainian satellite communications network to provide an alternative to existing infrastructure.