Elon Musk 'was responsible' for slowdown of Starlink satellite system that stopped Ukraine intercepting Russian drones, sources claim

Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine, inhibiting its ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks, sources have claimed. 

The tech billionaire and SpaceX founder publicly blamed the US president for the chaos over the decision to restrict Kyiv's access to the satellite system, which has since been restored. 

However, sources familiar with the discussions have now suggested Mr Trump 'agreed' with Mr Musk's idea to introduce speed limits on Starshield – the military-grade version of the satellite communications system.

Mr Musk said on Wednesday that any changes to the system would have had to have been approved by the Pentagon and therefore the US president. 

At the time, Mr Trump was locked in a row with Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. 

His administration had warned Kyiv's officials that if the attacks were not halted Washington would retaliate by shutting off some of its support for Ukraine.  

Mr Trump also suggested Mr Zelensky should be replaced as Ukrainian president, claiming he is 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'. 

Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine, inhibiting its ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks, sources have claimed

Ukraine strikes Russia's largest gas condensate processing plant in Surgut, 1,615 miles from the border

An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up the Starlink satellite internet system yesterday

Speaking of how the decision to restrict access to Starlink unfolded, a source said: '[Mr Musk] tweeted out that he was innocent and that it was the US administration that did it.

'The reality is that they were both in it.'

Speaking to The Telegraph, two well-placed Ukrainian sources and a high-ranking European official also confirmed this version of events. 

The revelations come as Mr Trump suspended new sanctions on Russia, just one week after making a deal with Putin to stock the US with over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel. 

The President wrote to Congress that the move was in the national interest, undoing legislation he signed just last month and named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

The Executive Order, issued late on Friday night, came just two days before a deadline that was set in the law for its own implementation.

Mr Trump has also refused to blame Putin for starting the Ukraine war – putting him at loggerheads with Britain and other allies over the conflict.

When asked whether he had forgotten that it was the Russian leader who started the war, Mr Trump did not respond directly and implied it was not straightforward.

He said: 'I know the details, OK, and at some point I'll release the details.

'But I don't care anything except for one. I want that war ended.'

Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike in Ukraine

Starlink satellite-based broadband system used by Ukrainian servicemen is seen in Bakhmut on February 1, 2023

Police paramedics evacuate a resident from an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike in Ukraine

And while the US-Ukraine relationship frays, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that Britain will join Germany and France in a major military exercise in Poland next month.

Speaking in Washington DC, Mr Streeting said: 'Ukraine is the front line for freedom everywhere, and it's absolutely vital that they prevail against Putin's aggression.

'We're planning for the peace and freedom we want to see through our leadership of the coalition of the willing.'

The drill is aimed at ensuring Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the war is over.

With 1,500 troops taking part, the exercise will simulate moving troops and supplies such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a coalition of the willing summit in July.

Meanwhile, Russia's bombardment of Ukraine continues, with Kyiv reporting further strikes on Friday, wounding civilians, damaging homes and disrupting power supplies.

Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine's energy grid in the lead-up to winter in an effort to 'weaponise' freezing temperatures, and officials in Kyiv have warned Moscow is stockpiling missiles for more attacks over the coming months.

The Daily Mail has contacted SpaceX for comment. The Pentagon has not publicly explained the restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine. 

READ MORE: Trump suspends sanctions that Congress put on Russia just one week after his cushy dealings with Putin