🇺🇸 U.S. Correspondent 📺 DW @dwnews 🔙 Previously: Voice of America White House correspondent. Likes ≠ endorsements.
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Misha Komadovsky retweeted
Elon Musk claims that Ukraine allegedly violated Starlink's terms of use and used the system on combat drones.
As someone who was inside the process at the Ministry of Defense, I can say with certainty that this is not true.
In February of this year, whitelists were introduced. Stationary terminals could be registered by both military personnel and civilians.
But for any satellite terminal to work while on the move, it had to be added to a special list and connected to the military Starshield system. Otherwise, no satellite communication terminals in Ukraine would work.
In other words, using civilian Starlink for drone missions was technically impossible. All drone missions that required satellite communication could only be carried out using Starshield.
We are very grateful to the United States and SpaceX for access to critically important satellite communications. Ukraine did not violate the terms of use.
Misha Komadovsky retweeted
❗️Attention! Information Regarding a Humanitarian Mission to Assist the People of Oleshky
US @FLOTUS has issued a statement announcing the launch of a humanitarian mission to rescue people currently in the city of Oleshky.
I confirm this statement and would like to personally thank Melania Trump and her team for their efforts, leadership, and coordination between the Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams in reaching an agreement. On the Ukrainian side, I conducted the negotiations in my capacity as Ukraine’s Ombudsman, while Yana Lantratova, Commissioner for Human Rights, represented the Russian side. Under our agreement:
📌a ceasefire will be established;
📌humanitarian aid will be delivered to Oleshky;
📌the safe passage of civilians out of Oleshky will be ensured.
I ask for your understanding regarding the public disclosure of information about this critical humanitarian mission.
The whole world knows about Oleshky today, and we are doing everything possible to rescue our citizens who are currently there. The operation is extremely complex and will be carried out in stages.
‼️I will keep you updated and continue to inform the Ukrainian public and share the results. As of today, the Ukrainian side has done — and continues to do —everything in its power to rescue the citizens currently in Oleshky.
JUST IN: First Lady Melania Trump successfully secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, localized to the city of Oleshky, according to the White House.
President Trump tells me as he departs the White House that he “will certainly consider” allowing Ukrainian TPS holders to remain in the U.S. until the war ends. @DeutscheWelle
DHS spokesperson to DW on the future of the TPS status for Ukrainian nationals in the United States: "An announcement on Ukraine’s TPS will be made at the appropriate time. Until such an announcement is made, Ukrainian individuals present in the U.S. under TPS retain protection.”
WSJ: Russian President Putin has proposed that he, President Trump and Chinese leader Xi meet next month to talk about Ukraine in an attempt to negotiate an end to the four-year conflict that would favor Moscow.
Ukrainian officials say they had access to Starshield, and our battlefield sources confirm it was being used by Ukrainian forces.
Yet Secretary Rubio claims Starshield “is not at this moment available to Ukraine.”
An interesting contradiction.
❗️Zelensky says Starlink restrictions continue to disrupt Ukraine’s military operations, with connections cutting out above 161 km/h and drones being lost.
Ukraine tested Starlink in the EU, where connectivity remained stable above 180 km/h, he tells reporters.
President Zelensky’s office: “SpaceX continues to maintain the speed limit of 161 km/h (100 mph). Throughout the day, the actual restrictions were significantly stricter. However, as of now, we are seeing improved connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph). The Ministry of Defense continues to engage with partners and SpaceX to ensure stable service conditions and prevent sudden restrictions."
Misha Komadovsky retweeted
Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.
Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company.
Misha Komadovsky retweeted
Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored.
Removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense.
Thank you, @elonmusk. We hope for your continued support.
❗️There has been no follow-up from the U.S. or @Starlink regarding the speed restrictions in Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official tells me @DeutscheWelle.
“We view this as a signal regarding further restrictive measures.”
The official confirms the U.S. has threatened to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but Washington continues to share intelligence with Kyiv for now.
‼️ SpaceX has imposed a 100 mph speed limit on Starlink terminals operating in motion under its military StarShield package, disrupting several Ukrainian military missions without prior warning, says Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Zelensky on defense technology.
He says the move is unlikely to be a coincidence amid the current political situation.
The White House press briefing room is stuffed to the brim ahead of @KatieZacharia’s first briefing.
On the possibility of halting intelligence sharing with Ukraine: “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”