Ukraine is still recording issues with the Starlink internet network, sources within the defence ministry say, after Donald Trump said limits had been reversed by Elon Musk who owns the satellite system.
The sources told the BBC that instances of drones experiencing connection loss at speeds of 161km/h (100mph) were being recorded, hampering military operations.
The US president had denied instructing the tech billionaire to restrict connectivity to Starlink’s military-grade counterpart, Starshield, before saying on Thursday that Musk had “put it back”.
Asked on Friday, Trump said: “If there is a problem, I will get it straightened out.”
Trump added: “I have not spoken to him. I might have to, but I have not. I’ve heard it was fixed, but if it’s not, I’ll speak to him.”
Musk previously said he was not behind the slowdown, which affected Ukraine’s ability to use attack drones and co-ordinate defensive operations.
Trump told reporters he did not think the tech billionaire had too much power.
The Ukrainian defence ministry sources said the military was constantly monitoring the performance of both the Starlink and Starshield networks.
They added that there was “currently no confirmation that these restrictions have been lifted”.
Last week, Kyiv said uplink speeds to the low Earth orbit satellites had been restricted, affecting the speed at which drones could travel. Any drone travelling faster than 100mph lost its connection, officials said.
Shortly after, Musk said that Starshield, which Ukraine uses for some of its operation, was controlled by the US military and suggested that the Pentagon could be behind the issues.
The White House has since repeatedly denied deliberately placing limits on the network in Ukraine.
In a call with Trump on Friday evening, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham “underlined the importance for Ukraine to have full access to Starlink so they can continue to defend themselves against Russia’s full-scale invasion”, Downing Street said in a statement.
