This article builds on our earlier report, Ukraine Accuses SpaceX of Crippling Drone Missions. The new developments since: Zelenskyy's own on-camera accusation, Elon Musk's reply pointing at the White House, and Ukraine's defence ministry update.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken his dispute with Washington public in the sharpest terms of the war so far. In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored released on Wednesday, October 14, Zelenskyy said he feels "betrayed" by US President Donald Trump, accused the United States of knowingly letting Starlink satellite access for Ukraine's military be switched off during a Russian bombardment, and warned that lives are being lost.
The interview landed hours after Kyiv went public with the claim that SpaceX had, without warning, imposed speed limits on the Starshield military-grade satellite terminals Ukraine's forces rely on for drone operations and air-defence interception. Musk responded on X that Starshield is "owned and controlled by the US government" and that any limits are decided by the US military and "ultimately" the president — effectively pointing at the White House.
Zelenskyy Says He Feels Betrayed by Trump Over Starlink Cuts
The interview was recorded in London during Zelenskyy's visit to Britain. Asked directly by Morgan whether he felt betrayed by Trump, Zelenskyy conceded: "Really, yes." He added that the matter was "a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings," according to the Kyiv Post and The Telegraph.
"It's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side," Zelenskyy said, as quoted by the New York Post, adding: "It is a pity that we are losing a strong partner." On Trump's direction of travel, he said: "This is not the right side of history."
The bitterness has been building for days. On October 9, Trump announced a deal to buy more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel from Russia for US and global markets — a move that 12 US senators from both parties called "a betrayal of Ukraine," the Kyiv Post reported. A day later, Trump said it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president."
"People will die": Zelenskyy on the Starlink shutdown
Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that, without any warning, Starlink terminals attached to drones or vehicles moving faster than 100 mph stopped working properly — grounding the long-range drones Ukraine uses to strike behind the front lines and hampering the interceptors meant to stop Russian attack drones.
Zelenskyy said the timing was deliberate: "I am sure they knew what they did, absolutely," he said, adding that it happened at "1 a.m. at night, [when] Starlink was blocked by SpaceX and the United States," the New York Post reported. The outage, he said, had already cost lives: "So people were killed because, not enough destroying, not enough interceptors, including interceptors with Starlink, which didn't work. Of course."
"This decision will bring a lot of human losses," he warned. "Of course, people will die." Asked if he was angry with Musk, he said: "Yes, I think he is not right. It's a big mistake."
Musk points at the White House
Musk's response did not deny the restriction. "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government," he wrote on X, according to The Times. "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately Potus [the president]."
Diesel, the "Energy Truce," and a Night of Russian Strikes
The Starlink row sits on top of a week of broken trust. On October 11, Trump unilaterally announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine — an announcement that surprised Kyiv, the Kyiv Post reported, with Trump insisting the two sides agreed "because I said, 'You agree.'"
Zelenskyy said Ukraine kept its side: "We didn't attack during three days — any kind of energy objects," the New York Post quoted him as saying. Russia did not. Overnight on October 13-14, Russia launched 39 missiles and 128 drones at Ukraine, leaving at least 600,000 people without power, according to Zelenskyy's estimates reported by the Kyiv Post. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the truce had never been properly defined and confirmed attacks on Ukraine's power plants would continue.
Late on Wednesday, Ukraine's defence ministry said access to the Starlink network had "improved," but added that "SpaceX continues to maintain the 161km/h limit," The Times reported — so the core restriction on fast-moving equipment stands.
Reaction: Poland's Anger, Britain's £17 Million Pledge
Poland, which pays Musk's company $50 million a year for Ukraine's Starlink subscriptions, reacted angrily, with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski publicly confronting Musk on X, The Times reported.
In London the day brought Zelenskyy relief. After an honour guard on the steps of No 10, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Zelenskyy that Britain stood firmly behind him. The leaders agreed to speed up deliveries of British lightweight multirole missiles, and Britain pledged £17 million to repair the protective shelter at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, damaged by a Russian drone attack last year.
Key Takeaways
- Zelenskyy told Piers Morgan on October 14 that he feels "betrayed" by Donald Trump over the US-Russia diesel deal and the Starlink restrictions.
- Ukraine says Starlink/Starshield terminals were throttled without warning for equipment moving faster than 100 mph, crippling drones and interceptors.
- Elon Musk said on X that Starshield is controlled by the US government and limits are decided by the US military and "ultimately" the president.
- Zelenskyy warned the shutdown would bring "a lot of human losses" and said people had already died because Starlink-linked interceptors failed.
- Ukraine's defence ministry said late Wednesday access had "improved," but the 161 km/h limit remains.
- The row follows Trump's October 9 diesel deal with Putin, his October 11 "energy ceasefire" claim, and Russian strikes that left 600,000 Ukrainians without power.
Why It Matters
This is the most direct public accusation a Ukrainian president has levelled at a sitting US president over battlefield support. Starlink runs through how Ukraine's drones fly, how artillery communicates, and how air defences intercept Russian drones. If access can be throttled overnight without warning, Ukrainian commanders must now plan around a system they no longer control — and one private company and one foreign government hold the switch.
What Happens Next
Watch three things. First, whether the White House answers Musk's implication that it ordered the restriction — Washington has stayed quiet. Second, whether the "improved" access holds through the next wave of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, which Moscow says will continue. Third, whether Europe accelerates alternatives: shares in Eutelsat, the Franco-British satellite operator, jumped after the Starlink interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Zelenskyy say about feeling betrayed by Trump?
In an interview with Piers Morgan released October 14, Zelenskyy was asked whether he felt betrayed by Trump. He answered: "Really, yes," adding it was "a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings." He said "It's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side," and called Trump's course "not the right side of history."
What happened to Ukraine's Starlink access?
Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Starlink/Starshield terminals were suddenly limited for equipment moving faster than 100 mph, with no warning. That disabled long-range attack drones and the interceptor drones used against Russian attack drones. Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said missions were disrupted and lives were at risk.
What did Elon Musk say in response?
Musk posted on X that Starshield systems are "owned and controlled by the US government" and that "any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately Potus [the president]." He said the commercial Starlink service, which SpaceX controls, is limited to civilian or defensive activities.
Has Starlink access been restored for Ukraine?
Only partly. Late on Wednesday, Ukraine's defence ministry said access had "improved," but added that "SpaceX continues to maintain the 161km/h limit." So equipment can connect at speeds up to about 160 km/h, but the core restriction on fast-moving drones remains in force.
What is the Trump-Putin diesel deal behind the row?
On October 9, Trump announced a deal for Russia to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Twelve US senators from both parties called it "a betrayal of Ukraine," arguing it eased pressure on Moscow. Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for high fuel prices; Zelenskyy disputes that link.
How has the world reacted?
Poland, which pays $50 million a year for Ukraine's Starlink subscriptions, reacted angrily, with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confronting Musk on X. Britain used Zelenskyy's London visit to pledge faster air-defence missile deliveries and £17 million for Chernobyl shelter repairs. The White House had not responded at the time of writing.
Sources
- The Times — "Zelensky: My people are dying after Trump's Starlink betrayal" (October 14, 2026): https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/america-us-betrayed-zelensky-ukraine-starlink-trump-oil-russia-28mc8h2mk
- New York Post — "Zelensky says Trump betrayed Ukraine with Russian diesel deal: 'It's painful'" (October 14, 2026): https://nypost.com/2026/10/14/us-news/zelensky-says-trump-betrayed-ukraine-with-russian-diesel-deal/
- Kyiv Post — "Zelensky Says He Feels Betrayed By the US, Warns Ukraine Is Losing America as a Partner" (October 14, 2026): https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87077
- Zotpaper — "Zelenskyy says he feels 'betrayed' by Trump as Starlink access squeezed" (published October 14, 2026, 21:45 UTC): https://zot.news/article/zelenskyy-says-he-feels-betrayed-trump-starlink-access-ni3m5
- Related on GlobalDeskNews: Ukraine Accuses SpaceX of Crippling Drone Missions (the earlier development this story builds on); Starlink Restricted on Ukraine Military Overnight, Kyiv Says; Russian Strikes Kill 6 in Ukraine, Knock Out Power in Kyiv
By GlobalDeskNews Staff | 15 October 2026