Elon Musk directed a slowdown in the speed of a version of SpaceX's Starlink internet service used by Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This action, implemented last week, limited the connectivity speed for Ukrainian devices utilizing the satellite-based network, significantly impacting the operation of some drones critical to Ukrainian defense efforts. The decision was reportedly made after consultations between Musk and senior officials from the Trump administration.

Musk and former President Donald Trump, both vocal critics of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed the throttling of Starlink shortly after the measure became public. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Musk consulted with top members of the Trump administration, including Trump himself, before enforcing the speed caps. The move has led to tensions, with Zelenskyy publicly expressing concerns over how the curtailment diminishes Ukraine’s military capabilities.

While Musk has stated that the military-grade version of Starlink, called Starshield, is under U.S. government control, with usage limits set by the Department of Defense and ultimately the President of the United States, the specifics of who authorized this slowdown remain unclear. The White House and Musk’s representatives did not immediately comment on the Journal’s report when approached by CNBC. The report emerged just as SpaceX announced its latest quarterly earnings, but Musk did not reference the situation during the earnings call.

The Starlink throttling has prompted an informal inquiry within the U.S. government following Zelenskyy’s complaints that the move weakens Ukrainian defenses. Meanwhile, Trump stated he did not know who ordered the Starlink restrictions but expressed interest in uncovering the decision-making process. Musk’s statement on social media clarified that any speed or usage limitations on the military Starshield system are ultimately controlled by U.S. military authorities and the President.