White House orders limits on Starshield satellite system use in Ukraine
The White House has reportedly ordered the US Department of Defense to restrict the Starshield satellite system in Ukraine, Reuters reports. Ukraine's armed forces use it for front-line communications and drone strikes on Russia.
The White House, the office of the US president, has ordered the US Department of Defense to restrict the operation of the Starshield satellite system in Ukraine. The news agency Reuters reported this on 16 October, citing three sources.
According to the agency, Ukraine's armed forces use the system for communications at the front and for drone attacks on Russian territory. The restriction could therefore affect both battlefield communications and Ukraine's ability to strike Russia with drones.
Who the sources are
Reuters says its information comes from two US government officials and an official from a Western country. The country has not been named, and the officials have not been identified.
Based on the information available, it is not clear what exactly the restrictions involve, when they would take effect, or how they would change the system's use in practice. The report also does not include an official comment from the White House or the Department of Defense.
