Ukraine's Starshield speed limits persist as US senators demand SpaceX preserve records
Summary
- Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink, has been speed-capped at 161 km/h over Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory and parts of the front line since around November 9, Ukraine says.
- It is the second restriction episode in a month; an October cap lasted about ten days and was lifted on October 24.
- Ukraine says the cap stops interceptor drones catching Russia's jet-powered Shahed drones, and a Ukrainian official said all affected missions were failing by the third day.
- SpaceX denies any change to the service; Elon Musk says Starshield is controlled by the US government and any limits are decided by the US military.
- Senate Democrats have demanded Musk preserve records dating to September 1 and answer who ordered the throttling, with a November 30 deadline.
- The US Defense Department said it was looking into the restrictions, which Ukraine rejects as a technical issue.
Reactions
- SpaceX denied the restrictions, telling Axios, "This is false. There has been no change."
- President Zelensky called the limits political rather than technical and said Ukraine did not believe SpaceX's explanation.
- Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons demanded Musk preserve all records on the restrictions and respond by November 30, citing national security oversight concerns.
- Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis called the disruptions outrageous and demanded an investigation into who authorized them.
- The 105-member Congressional Ukraine Caucus demanded a full accounting from the Trump administration and SpaceX and immediate restoration of full access.
- Representatives Gregory Meeks and Adam Smith said the previous restrictions contributed to Ukrainian civilian casualties and strengthened Putin's hand at the negotiating table.
Timeline newest first
President Zelensky said on November 13 that speed restrictions on Starshield over Russian-occupied territories were dangerous and partially treated the occupied territories as not Ukraine's.
Zelensky said on November 14 the latest Starshield speed limits took effect on Monday over occupied territories, the second throttling in weeks, and the US Defense Department said it was looking into the restrictions.
Zelensky said SpaceX was not telling the truth and the limits appeared political rather than technical; he had asked his military leadership to raise the issue with SpaceX, the Pentagon and the State Department.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons sent Elon Musk a four-page letter demanding preservation of internal communications, network logs and software changes dating back to September 1, with a November 30 deadline.
Democratic senators demanded SpaceX answer who ordered the throttling of Starlink and Starshield and confirm by November 30 it would destroy no documents.
A Ukrainian official said the Starshield disruptions rose from 10 percent of affected missions failing on the first day to 50 percent on the second, with all missions failing by Thursday.
The new Starshield restrictions appeared to be in effect again from Monday, November 9, after the October restrictions were lifted on October 24.
The 105-member Congressional Ukraine Caucus called on the Trump administration and SpaceX to restore Ukraine's full Starshield access and explain how and why it was restricted.
Zelenskyy told the European Political Community summit in Dublin the limits were systematic speed restrictions, not random errors, and that Ukraine knew very little about why.
The first Starshield speed cap began on October 14 and lasted about ten days, cutting links to drones moving faster than about 161 km/h; it was later reported that Musk ordered it himself.
A Ukrainian official said the renewed Starshield disruptions went unmentioned at US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.
Musk was reported to blame Trump for the limits, Trump denied involvement, and the US government said only Musk could have made the decision.
Sources newest first
- Zelensky says Starshield restrictions give Russia more room to attack, accuses SpaceX of treating occupied territories as 'not ours'
The Kyiv Independent reports that Starshield restrictions over Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory now limit Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones, prompting Zelensky to say SpaceX's moves partially treat the territories as "not ours" and to reject the company's technical-issue explanation, which SpaceX denies. The roundup also covers a deadly Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, France's seizure of oligarch Zhevago's $40 million Paris mansion, a planned Trump-Xi-Putin summit that will not focus on Ukraine, and a nationwide U.S. flight ground stop.
Ukraine’s Starshield Access Is Being Restricted Again, Zelensky SaysPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's Starshield access is being throttled again — speed limits of about 100 miles per hour over Russian-occupied territories are disrupting drone strikes and interceptor defenses. It is the second restriction in weeks, which SpaceX called false and blamed on U.S. government control of the system.
SpaceX not being honest about ‘political’ reasons for slowing Starshield, says ZelenskyyVolodymyr Zelenskyy tells the Guardian that SpaceX is not being honest about throttling Ukraine's Starshield system, calling speed limits that stop Ukrainian drones intercepting Russian Shahed drones and restrict mid-range strikes 'political' rather than 'technical'. In the Kyiv interview he also rejects ceding Donbas, dismisses Putin's Kostiantynivka 'humanitarian mission' offer as a ploy, and calls Moscow's revived demand for a pre-1997 Nato footprint alarming.
Putin Rejects Energy Ceasefire as Zelensky Warns Over Starshield Speed CapsKyiv Post reports that Vladimir Putin rejected a proposed bilateral energy ceasefire after talks in Moscow with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and that Volodymyr Zelensky calls Putin's "humanitarian operation" plan for Kostiantynivka a military ploy aimed at Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Zelensky warns that a 161-km/h speed cap on Starshield in occupied territories degrades air defense and sounds political, prompting senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons to demand SpaceX preserve records and lawmakers Gregory Meeks and Adam Smith to condemn the limits.
Nach tagelangen Ausfällen: US-Senatoren wollen Antworten zu Starlink in der UkraineA spiegel.de news article reports that Democratic US senators are demanding answers from SpaceX over days-long Starlink outages in Ukraine, asking who ordered the throttling of Starlink and Starshield and pressing SpaceX to preserve documents and reply by 30 November. SPIEGEL also reports that Russia, the US, and Ukraine are to take part in possible peace talks, while the Europeans' role remains partly unclear.
US Democrats direct Musk to preserve records on Ukraine's Starlink restriction, WSJ reportsThe Kyiv Independent reports that Senate Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons have directed Elon Musk to preserve all records on Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield restrictions, citing Senate proceedings, with a response due by November 30, 2026. Ukraine faces renewed Starshield speed caps limiting drone interception, which SpaceX denies, and Democrats plan a January 2027 investigation into the White House's handling of the war and Musk's involvement.
US Senators Set Nov. 30 Deadline for Musk to Preserve Ukraine Starlink RecordsKyiv Post reports that Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons gave Elon Musk until Nov. 30, 2026, to preserve SpaceX records on restrictions to Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield systems, seeking communications back to Sept. 1, 2026, with Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Adam Smith condemning the limits as risking Ukrainian lives. President Zelensky said Starshield speed restrictions persist along the front line and in occupied territory, while SpaceX told Axios, "This is false. There has been no change."
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says Starshield restrictions continue on ‘entire front line’The Guardian's Ukraine war briefing marks day 1,725 of the invasion, led by Zelenskyy's complaint that Starshield speed restrictions remain along the entire front line, hampering drone interception and, he says, sending Russia a bad signal on occupied land. It also reports a Russian drone attack on a Kyiv hospital that injured three, car bombs in Moscow and St Petersburg that killed a senior military official, Russia's revived hardline European security demands, and Kaja Kallas's warning against walking into Russia's traps.
As Trump’s Envoys Met With Russia, Ukraine’s Starshield Drone Defenses Were Throttled AgainOlga Lautman's Substack article reports that Ukraine's Starshield drone defenses were restricted for the second time in under a month just as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi and then Moscow, while Russian drone and missile strikes knocked out power across eight Ukrainian regions. She links the throttling — which Zelenskyy says capped Starshield at 100 mph and which a Ukrainian official says degraded missions from 10% to total failure — to Trump's pressure on Ukraine to cede territory, noting that Senators Shaheen and Tillis and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus are demanding an investigation into who authorized it.
Starlink speed limits still in place over Russian-occupied Ukraine, Zelenskyy saysPolitico reports, per Daria Zakharova, that Volodymyr Zelenskyy says on 13 November 2026 that Starlink speed limits — holding Ukrainian forces to 161 km/h along the entire front line and occupied territory, hindering interceptors against jet Shahed drones — remain in place, with no clear explanation given. Starshield restrictions began mid-October 2026 and were lifted on 24 October, appeared to return on 9 November, and Elon Musk, who denied responsibility, wrote that Starshield is controlled by the US government and any limits are decided by the US military and ultimately Donald Trump.
Ukraine seeks explanation on Starshield speed restrictions from USThe Kyiv Independent reports that Ukraine is seeking an explanation from the U.S. over reported Starshield speed restrictions, which Zelensky says cap the system at 161 km/h over Russian-occupied territory and the front line and hinder interceptors against Shahed drones; SpaceX denies any change, and the 105-member Ukraine Caucus urged full restoration of access. The roundup also covers Russian attacks that killed 9 and injured 61 across Ukraine, UForce's $700 million drone-maker funding, Maj. Gen. Oleh Apostol saying Russia's advance has slowed, and corruption probes that ousted Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
Musk’s Starshield Missions Face 100% Failure Rate in Ukraine After Renewed RestrictionsKyiv Post reports renewed Starshield speed restrictions in Ukraine, with an unnamed official telling Axios that all affected drone missions are now failing and defense ministry sources recording a 161 kph limit across occupied territory. Zelensky pressed US and NATO contacts, SpaceX denied any service change, and Senators Shaheen and Tillis demanded restoration after the Pentagon inspector general declined to investigate the October disruptions.
Russia strikes hospital in central Kyiv after SpaceX system falters againThe Guardian reports that an overnight Russian drone strike hit Kyiv's National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, injuring three people, as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. It also covers Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim that the Pentagon-overseen Starshield system faltered again, letting Russian drones through, alongside US-brokered peace talks involving Kushner, Witkoff and Putin.
Over 100 US congressmen demand restoration of Ukraine's access to StarshieldEuropean Pravda reports that 105 members of the bipartisan Ukraine Caucus are demanding the Trump administration and SpaceX restore the Ukrainian military's full access to Starshield, and report on how and why it was restricted. The first restriction came in mid-October 2026, hindering interceptor drones, reconnaissance, and strikes. The caucus announced the demand on X, and Zelenskyy and Denmark's Frederiksen flagged the disruptions.
Ukraine Says 100% of Missions Are Failing Under Starshield Restrictions—SpaceX Denies Any Changesunited24media.com· 37h
United24 Media reports Ukraine's claims that SpaceX's military-grade Starshield service imposed speed restrictions — which a Ukrainian official quoted as rising from 10% to 50% over three days until 100% of missions failed — and that Zelenskyy said the 161 km/h threshold had let some Russian strikes through. SpaceX, quoted by Axios, denies any changes, saying, "This is false. There has been no change."
Ukraine says it can’t stop Russian strikes because Starshield is limited againUkraine's President Zelenskyy says Starshield, SpaceX's military satellite service under Pentagon contract, is again speed-limited to 161 km/h on drones, leaving Ukraine unable to intercept Russian Shahed strikes. SpaceX denies any change, Musk says the US government sets limits, and Ukrainian officials suspect pressure tied to peace talks.
European Commission urges SpaceX to restore Starshield services in UkraineA European Pravda article reports that the European Commission has urged SpaceX to urgently restore Starshield satellite services in Ukraine after new outages hampered the Ukrainian military's ability to repel Russian attacks, with mid-October 2026 restrictions having hindered interceptor drones, reconnaissance, and strike operations. Spokesperson Tom Regnier calls the outages deeply concerning and unacceptable if confirmed and says SpaceX must ensure consistency, while Zelenskyy reports days of disruption and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen says she will raise the issue with the United States; Trump declined to say whether he called Elon Musk.
The 161 km/h cap is back on Ukraine's Starshield links, nearly three weeks after Kyiv got full speed restored - Euromaidan PressEuromaidan Press reports Zelenskyy's warning that Ukraine's Starshield links are again capped at 161 km/h over the front, letting Russia's jet-powered drones slip past interceptors that rely on Starlink, while Kyiv presses Washington for answers. An earlier ten-day cap saw Musk say limits are the US military's call and later that SpaceX enforced its own terms, as Denmark and the European Commission voiced concern.
BREAKING: Musk And Trump Throttled Starlink In Ukraine. Again.Dean Blundell's Substack reports that Starshield, the Pentagon-funded network guiding Ukraine's interceptor drones, has been capped a second time in 30 days, leaving interceptors too slow for the Russian jet drones they chase while five civilians died in overnight strikes. Zelensky calls the limit deliberate — "This helps Russians kill more Ukrainians" — and despite bipartisan Senate demands and reports pinning the order on Musk with Trump's agreement, no hearing has been held.
Ukraine Says Its Military Starlink Is Disrupted Again, Hurting Defenses
wsj.com· 2d
Zelensky Warns Starshield's Speed Cap Hampers Ukraine as Russia Launches Ballistic StrikeZelensky said Starshield's 161 km/h speed cap has hobbled Ukraine's interception of Russia's jet-powered drones, and Ukrainian defense officials called the limits deliberate, with no satisfactory explanation from the White House, Pentagon, or SpaceX. The restrictions coincided with Trump's announced deal to import Russian diesel, as Russia launched a ballistic strike on Kyiv.
Ukraine warns of fresh Starshield disruptions as U.S. envoys arrive in Moscow for talks with Putincnbc.com· 2d
CNBC reports that Zelenskyy says fresh speed restrictions have been imposed on SpaceX's Starshield over Ukraine, which he calls systematic and which he says are hindering interception of Russian jet-powered drones, echoing October's disruptions. The article also covers Elon Musk's shifting explanations, Trump's denial of White House involvement, and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving in Moscow for talks with Putin.
Zelenskiy says Starshield speed limited again, hampering Ukraine's defencesReuters reports President Zelenskiy's claims that Starshield, SpaceX's military version of Starlink, was again speed-limited to about 100 mph across Ukraine's front line, hampering interceptors chasing Russian jet-powered drones. Service was restored October 24; a Ukrainian official said the disruptions went unmentioned at US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.
Ukraine Hit By New ‘Systematic’ Starshield Restrictions, Says Zelenskynewsweek.com· 2d
Newsweek reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim of fresh "systematic" restrictions on Ukraine's Starshield service, with soldiers reporting significant disruptions along the more than 700-mile frontline weeks after curbs to Starlink wreaked havoc on Ukrainian operations. Elon Musk denies imposing the constraints and says Starshield is controlled by the U.S. government, while envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin in Moscow before a planned meeting with Zelensky in Dublin.
Ukraine says Starshield is being limited again, hampering its defenses against RussiaNBC News reports that President Zelenskyy says Ukraine's Starshield satellite internet has faced a renewed wave of speed restrictions, capped at 100 miles per hour across the front line, complicating the interception of Russian jet-powered drones and letting some strikes through. Elon Musk blames President Trump for the limits; Trump denies involvement, while the U.S. government says only Musk could have made the decision.
Starlink restrictions in Ukraine are back, Zelenskyy sayseuronews.com· 2d
Euronews reports that President Zelenskyy says speed restrictions on Starshield, the military version of Starlink, are back after being lifted in late October, disrupting Ukraine's interception of Russian jet-powered drones and letting some strikes through. Neither Washington, SpaceX, nor Trump accepted responsibility for the initial October limits, and Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia to explore a sovereign satellite system.
Starshield Slows Ukrainian Interceptors to 100 MPH Again, Zelenskyy SaysIllia Kabachynskyi reports for United24 Media that President Zelenskyy says SpaceX's Starshield military satellite system, used by Ukrainian interceptor drones against Russian jet-powered Shahed-type drones, has been slowed to 100 mph by systematic restrictions, not random errors, along the entire front line for several days, contributing to successful Russian strikes; Ukrainian and American officials are investigating. The restrictions follow an October 2026 incident that Ukraine's General Staff said was fully lifted by 26 October, and Ukrainian defense company Militech Group has developed a 1.5-watt HRIM LTE modem with a 45-kilometer range to keep drones connected during Starlink disruptions.
Background newest first
Ukrainian air defenders score first Kyiv-region kill of Russia’s fast Geran-5 jet drone with Swedish RBS 70 - Euromaidan PressEuromaidan Press reports, per Ukraine's General Staff, that air defenders of the 1027th anti-aircraft regiment used a Swedish RBS 70 to down a Russian Geran-5 jet drone flying about 500 km/h over Kyiv Oblast, the crew's first such kill there. The laser-guided RBS 70 tracks targets heat-seeking launchers could miss, and Defense Intelligence puts the jet drone's range at up to 950 kilometers.
Big Tech’s Left Turnstatus.news· 8h
Status News reports that tech moguls who courted Donald Trump, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, are pivoting left after Democrats swept the 2026 midterms on a mandate to rein in unregulated tech companies. Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons gave Musk until 30 November to preserve Starlink-Ukraine documents, and Meta parted with Republican operative Joel Kaplan.
Ukraine hits key Russian oil hub, military airbase in latest long-range strikesThe Kyiv Independent reports Ukraine's General Staff claims of long-range strikes on the Samara oil facility, a key hub for the Urals export blend that accounts for up to half of Russia's oil exports, and the Lipetsk-2 airfield, which hosts Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 aircraft. Zelensky says Starshield restrictions partially extend to occupied territories and, accusing SpaceX of treating them as "not ours," adds that the US floated NATO membership in exchange for a withdrawal from Donbas, while at least 7 people were killed and 80 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine.
Zelenskyy says a new European security framework floated by US could benefit Putin
apnews.com· 11h
An AP News report says Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that a new European security framework floated by the US could benefit Vladimir Putin, weakening NATO and reopening border questions, and urged that any changes wait until after the war ends. He also cited Abu Dhabi ceasefire talks, a proposed 1,200–1,300 prisoner exchange, Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian strikes on the Samara oil pipeline station, and restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield system in occupied territory.
“Sort this out with Putin.” Zelenskyy Reveals Russia’s Reply on a Ceasefire NegotiationsAt a briefing for Ukrainian and foreign journalists, Zelenskyy revealed that when Kyiv proposed an energy-infrastructure truce in the Abu Dhabi talks, Russia's delegation said it lacked a mandate and to "sort this out with Putin," while a record 1,200–1,300-per-side prisoner exchange was agreed. He also flagged Starshield speed limits over occupied territory, security guarantees short of NATO Article 5, and Kostiantynivka's humanitarian missions as a ploy.
Democrats Ask Musk to Preserve Documents on Starlink in Ukrainebloomberg.com· 21h
Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have asked Elon Musk to preserve documents and communications related to SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield systems in Ukraine, according to a letter released November 13, 2026. They vow to make SpaceX's role in the war a key issue when the new Congress is seated in January 2027.
US Air Force responds to suspected drone activity at military base in UKThe Kyiv Independent reports that U.S. Air Force security personnel responded to suspected unauthorized drone activity at RAF Lakenheath, a base in eastern England hosting the 48th Fighter Wing, on November 13, 2026; the drones' origin remains unknown, and the U.K. Defense Ministry says no injuries or damage were reported. The piece also notes the incident comes amid heightened security at U.S. bases in Britain, after 2024 drone activity there, and rounds up other war news, including a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia that injured 50 people and Zelensky's statement that Starshield speed restrictions make interceptors "impossible" to use against Shahed-type drones.
Exclusive | Democrats Order Musk to Preserve Records Over Ukraine Starlink Access
Democratic senators have told Elon Musk to preserve all records related to SpaceX's restrictions on Ukraine's use of its Starlink and Starshield services, according to a letter reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, saying the restrictions jeopardized Kyiv's military operations amid Russian strikes. The senators plan a series of investigations into the administration's handling of the Ukraine war when they take control of Congress in January.
SpaceX launches Starship in key test flight of massive rocketCNBC reports SpaceX launched Starship Flight 15 on 13 November 2026 from Boca Chica, Texas — its first attempt to catch both the booster and upper stage — but the booster, diverted to splash in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded, while the upper stage went on toward an orbit of fourteen laps. Hours after FAA authorization the agency issued a nationwide ground stop over air traffic control problems, and the article also notes fresh criticism of Starshield restrictions in Ukraine and SpaceX's quoted goal of "Starlink becoming 51% of the internet."
The next ‘Bachelor’ star is Commanders quarterback Sam Hartmanwashingtonpost.com· 29h
A Washington Post roundup leads with news that Commanders practice-squad quarterback Sam Hartman, who set records at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame, will star in season 30 of ABC's "The Bachelor," premiering March 21, and told "Good Morning America" he is nervous about dating 20 to 30 women at once. The page's other articles report Mauricio Pochettino's exit as U.S. men's soccer coach for Manchester United, Zelensky's complaints about Starlink speed limits, Trump's disputed claims about Iran war deaths, the deadly Logan Circle gym shooting, a court fight over East Potomac Golf Links, and Emily Heil's sweet potato recipes.
Zelensky says Starlink limits continued in the middle of his talks with U.S., RussiaDan Merica anchors The Washington Post's Early Brief, a roundup of developing stories: Zelensky's post says a 161 km/h Starlink speed limit blocks Ukrainian interceptors against Shahed drones, senators call for investigating the Trump administration and Elon Musk, meteorologists track a record-early stratospheric warming that could send frigid air south, and Donald Trump defends the Iran war in interviews while falsely claiming no troops died in five months. Also inside: Scott Colom's Mississippi win over Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Sam Hartman cast as the next Bachelor, Mauricio Pochettino leaving U.S. soccer for Manchester United, and sweet potato recipes.
Trump falsely claims ‘nobody’s been killed’ in Iran war ‘in the last five months’The Washington Post's The 7 leads with Trump's interviews defending the war with Iran, in which he claimed nobody had been killed in the last five months, though the Pentagon reports 23 American service members died in the war, 11 from enemy fire. The briefing also covers Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. talks in Abu Dhabi and the Starlink speed limits Zelensky says persist, Mauricio Pochettino's move from the U.S. men's team to Manchester United, a deadly Logan Circle shooting, the court fight over East Potomac Golf Links, and U2's new song with Rosalía.
Additional person injured in Logan Circle shooting, police sayA Washington Post live blog reports that D.C. police identified a woman with a nonfatal injury as an additional victim of Thursday's deadly Logan Circle shooting, in which police say the shooter, emergency room physician Matt Lambert, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after 46-year-old building manager James Stuart was killed. The blog also covers Mauricio Pochettino's exit from the U.S. men's national team for Manchester United, senators' calls to investigate Starlink speed limits in Ukraine, a court fight over closing East Potomac Golf Links, and U2's new song with Rosalía.
“Lawyer Up”: Democrats Put 60+ Companies, Half The Cabinet And The Trump Family On Notice, And The Regime Is Threatening Everyone In SightIn a Substack post, Dean Blundell reports that since the November 2026 election congressional Democrats have sent preservation letters to more than 60 companies, agencies, and Trump figures — from Huffman, Lofgren, Blumenthal, and others covering the ballroom donors, the Trump family crypto operation, and the Starshield slowdown — ahead of subpoena power on January 3, while Trump orders investigations of Democrats and aides like Blanche, Scharf, and Reitz threaten legal consequences. Blundell argues the corporate targets cannot hide behind executive privilege or pardons, calls the administration's threats desperate theatre, and predicts most companies will cooperate once lawyers expect it.
Ukraine launches nearly 1,200 drones at Russia as US-led talks to consider wider European security
An AP News report covers Ukraine's overnight launch of nearly 1,200 drones at Russia — one of its biggest attacks of the war — hitting a Volgograd oil refinery, as U.S. envoys brief Putin and Zelenskyy on talks that now include wider European security arrangements, a shift alarming European leaders. Zelenskyy also presses the U.S. over Starshield drone speed limits, and Witkoff and Kushner say more talks are planned.
3 injured, dozens evacuated after Russian drone damages Kyiv medical facility in overnight attackThe Kyiv Independent reports that drone debris sparked a fire at a Kyiv medical facility during an overnight Russian attack on November 13, 2026, injuring three and forcing 30 to evacuate, part of strikes across Ukraine that killed 10 people the previous night. President Zelensky said Starshield restrictions are hampering intercepts of Russian drones, the U.K. announced sanctions targeting Russia's top 10 oil producers, the Kremlin said Trump and Putin will discuss the peace settlement at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, and Zelensky said Europe will be represented in the next round of peace talks.
Ukraine war briefing: Europe to join negotiations, says Kushner, as Putin warns against peace keepersThe Guardian's war briefing reports Jared Kushner saying Ukraine and Russia have agreed to expand peace talks to include European countries, while Vladimir Putin warned against European peacekeeping troops and refused to soften territorial demands. Zelenskyy welcomed European participation but flagged US-imposed Starshield restrictions hitting the frontline, and drone strikes killed people on both sides.
Putin says Russia will target foreign troops deployed to UkraineVladimir Putin warned US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that Russia would target any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine, ruling out peacekeepers as a "continuation of war" and insisting on full control of four annexed regions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Elon Musk's Starlink of "helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians" amid frontline speed limits, while European leaders meeting in Dublin decline for now to name a single negotiator, with Witkoff saying European representatives will join the next round of talks.
Oil Exec Who Got Nice Contract on Venezuelan Oil was Top Vance Donornewrepublic.com· 2d
The New Republic reports that Vice President JD Vance, a top donor's secret Bozeman meeting days before the U.S. invaded Venezuela, was followed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright asking the donor's firm, Vitol, about selling Venezuelan crude—licenses that went to Vitol and Trafigura and that Representative Robert Garcia is now questioning. The page also rounds up Nick Shirley's retracted food-stamp fraud accusations against Lam's Seafood, Trump's postwar statements on Iran, ICE deleting posts about Aliya Rahman's arrest, and Starshield disruptions in Ukraine.
Major News: Trump ‘All Alone’ and Gives Up on Iran Deal, Republicans Turn on Him, Starlink Cuts Hit Ukraine, GOP Slashes Veterans’ BenefitsAaron Parnas's news roundup covers a turbulent post-midterm stretch: Trump isolated after replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, Republicans openly criticizing the move, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Moscow for Ukraine talks, and Zelensky saying deliberate Starshield speed limits are helping Russia kill Ukrainians. It also reports House Republicans passing the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote, Jensen Huang resigning as Nvidia CEO, five people shot in Washington's Logan Circle, and an Israeli strike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital.
Musk Dares Democrats To Cancel SpaceX Contracts - Joe.My.God.joemygod.com· 2d
Joe.My.God. reports Axios's account of the new Democratic congressional majority's vows of investigations into Elon Musk's business empire, which could put the military's SpaceX contracts under scrutiny. Per Axios, Musk dared the government to cancel contracts, writing "Just say the word!", though the government likely has no replacement for SpaceX for years.
Tsikhanouskaya says Belarus must be included in Russia-Ukraine peace talksThe Kyiv Independent reports that, speaking at the European Political Community summit in Dublin on Nov. 12, 2026, exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged that Belarus be included in any Russia-Ukraine peace talks and that Russian troops withdraw from both countries. The article notes Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory and still keeps a heavy military presence there, while overnight attacks killed 10 in Ukraine.
ICE Deletes Posts After Getting Sued for Arresting U.S. CitizenA New Republic roundup reports that ICE deleted X posts defending its arrest of Minneapolis resident Aliya Rahman—whom it dragged from her car and who sued for false arrest—despite federal rules requiring agencies to preserve records. It also covers reported Starshield disruptions in Ukraine, Republican midterm recriminations, and Scott Colom's Mississippi Senate win.
Musk's Companies Will Face Intense Democrat Scrutiny, But One is Under More Heat247wallst.com· 3d
Alex Sirois argues in a 247wallst.com article that with Democrats winning the 2026 midterms and gaining subpoena power over Elon Musk, Tesla is far more exposed than SpaceX, since Tesla's valuation rests on robotaxi and Optimus approvals a hostile Congress could delay while SpaceX's national security launch backlog insulates it. He cites Tesla's flat $28.046 billion third-quarter revenue and 15.55% share decline against SpaceX's $14.60 billion revenue beat, and says Democrats want answers on DOGE-era contracts and Starlink restrictions on Ukraine.
EN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : Kiev teste un premier satellite pour réduire sa dépendance à Starlinklemonde.fr
Le Monde's live coverage leads with Kyiv's first step toward communications independence from Starlink: the experimental Obria NANO satellite, built by Ukrainian maker Himera and Denmark's GomSpace, launched by SpaceX in October 2026, with Himera estimating 100 satellites needed for full coverage. The feed also tracks Ukrainian-Russian talks in Abu Dhabi, a tanker carrying Russian diesel turning back from the US, drone strikes on Russian refineries, and donor pledges toward repairing Chernobyl's arch.
Russian forces seek to isolate Zaporizhzhia by striking bridges, dams, Ukrainian commander saysThe Kyiv Independent reports that Yevhen Lasiychuk, commander of Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps, says Russia is striking bridges and dams with guided aerial bombs to impose a logistical blockade on Zaporizhzhia, with about 50,000 Russian troops in the Huliaipole direction and a possible advance toward Dnipro. Other items cover Ukraine's strike on the 'highway of death' bridge, overnight Russian attacks killing 9, strikes on food supply chains, trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, and Zelensky's talks with Nordic leaders in Denmark.
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 12Volume 12 of the Kyiv Independent's reader Q&A on the war answers questions on schooling under constant air raids — including Ukraine's first fully underground kindergartens — winter energy fears, the drone war, European aid now outpacing U.S. support, and the Trump-Putin diesel export deal, which Dominic Culverwell calls largely propaganda but a political win for Putin. Reporters' claims include a widening kill zone making breakthroughs harder and winter relocation from Kyiv, while recommendations urge supporting Ukraine's EU membership and fundraising for generators.
EU plans to send a new 45 billion euros to Kyiv in 2027The Kyiv Independent reports that the EU plans a new 45 billion euro loan for Kyiv in 2027, announced by Valdis Dombrovskis and confirmed by diplomats, on top of the 45 billion euros Ukraine is set to receive from a 90 billion euro loan assembled in April 2026, as Kyiv faces a projected 70 billion euro shortfall in 2027, with diplomats expecting Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, and now Bulgaria to opt out. The roundup also covers Zelensky seeking India's help in peace efforts, Ukrainian strikes on a Russian jamming station and the Morozov missile-fuel plant, an IMF mission that could unlock $1.67 billion, and the Coalition of the Willing's first post-war deployment exercise in Poland.
Ukraine’s Drone Pilots Turn to Israeli-Italian Comms to Replace Musk’s SpaceXThe Kyiv Post reports that Ukraine's long-range drone forces are shifting, per Russian and Ukrainian reports, from Elon Musk's Starlink to Israel-based HiSKY satellite terminals that are less capable but beyond Washington's reach — a move that followed an Oct. 14, 2026 SpaceX slowdown that grounded strikes and interceptor drones until Congress ordered an investigation. Zelensky blamed Trump for the cap, Musk said the White House ordered it, and White House officials called it Musk's idea; Ukraine resumed refinery strikes in early November.
Ukraine Tests Space-Interceptor Weapons to Stop Russia’s Oreshnik MissilesUnited24 Media reports that Ukraine has tested exo-atmospheric interceptor systems three times, launching them from high-altitude aircraft to counter Russia's Oreshnik ballistic missile, which has been used against Ukraine at least three times and releases multiple warheads in near space. Lawmaker Fedir Venislavskyi, quoted by The Guardian, says Ukraine has demonstrated launches of such systems and is exploring serial production, though funding remains a major obstacle, alongside a broader push for independent space capabilities including the Obria Nano test satellite and a proposed constellation of about 245 satellites.
Ukraine Is Building Its Own 100-Satellite Network With No Foreign Kill SwitchUkraine is building a national satellite communications system of at least 100 satellites to securely connect military command centers and critical infrastructure with no foreign kill switch, a project Himera's Dmytro Khmara says is not a Starlink replacement and is financed entirely by private investment. The first test satellite, OBRIA NANO, launched October 1 on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, and per Defense Express deployment could begin in two to three years.
Ukraine will likely 'end up with a little bit different shape' after war, Trump tells 60 MinutesIn a 60 Minutes interview two days after his party's midterm defeat, Donald Trump says he believes a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine is close and that Ukraine will likely "end up with a little bit different shape," while declining to say whether he trusts Putin or Zelensky more ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. The Kyiv Independent also reports Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grids, overnight attacks killing 8 and injuring 19, a Starshield speed cap that disrupted Ukraine's drone defenses, and Moscow police detaining over 200 people, reportedly forcing some to sign military contracts.
The Kremlin hopes the U.S. election shake-up won't shift Trump's negotiations on Ukrainepbs.org· 6d
An AP report on PBS examines how the Kremlin, including spokesman Dmitry Peskov, played down the Republicans' 2026 midterm loss and voiced hope that Donald Trump's Ukraine peace efforts continue, with trilateral talks set for 10–11 November in Abu Dhabi. Observers split on the shift: some predict more Democratic support for Kyiv, while Russian officials forecast a more resolute Trump.
Ukraine’s new frontier: how space has become critical to balance of the warThe Guardian examines how the Ukraine war has spread into space, with Ukrainian Flamingo missile strikes on the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, Roscosmos sites, and Russia's Rassvet satellite system, while Moscow has jammed signals, deployed Oreshnik missiles, and flown the Kosmos 2612 satellite at a Finnish Iceye satellite serving Ukraine's military. Experts including Dr Elena Grossfeld and Victoria Samson see a rapidly militarising domain with outdated treaties, and Kyiv is testing exo-atmospheric interceptors and the Obria Nano satellite for a sovereign communications network.
Senator Blumenthal to introduce legislation supporting Ukraine, calls for new US negotiators, Starlink controlsThe Kyiv Independent reports that Senator Richard Blumenthal, announcing legislation to support Ukraine, calls for new US negotiators — quoting that Trump needs "not fawning pawns" — and urging Congress to impose controls on Starlink and Starshield, citing Witkoff's praise of Putin as a "humanitarian." The roundup also notes the strike on Komyshuvakha has killed 55, Russian missiles hit Kyiv and substations across six oblasts, and leaked Russian data reportedly reveals up to 450,000 war deaths.
A horrible person lost and is going awayyoutube.com· 6d
David Pakman's video commentary says Democrats won the midterms, including Texas races that hit Elon Musk, who spent a reported $474 million backing Republicans and deleted his election-day post urging a Republican vote. Pakman calls for congressional oversight of Musk's federal contracts, Doge, and his Starlink role in Ukraine.
Zelensky Rejects New Europe-Russia Security FrameworkA Kyiv Post article reports President Zelensky rejecting Washington's proposed Europe-Russia security framework as dangerous, warning it risks a "Yalta 2.0" dividing the continent into spheres of influence, and refusing to cede territory. It also covers overnight missile strikes on Kyiv, US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, and Kaja Kallas's denial that Putin holds a veto over European security.
Musk reposts tweet calling Starlink service for Ukraine 'mistake'The Kyiv Independent reports that Elon Musk reposted a post on X calling it a "mistake" to give Ukraine Starlink access, without comment, days after President Zelensky criticized Musk's outsized political influence in a German TV interview. The article also covers the unannounced Starshield speed cap that disrupted Ukraine's drone interceptions, Ukraine's rejection of Musk's terms-of-service accusations, his record midterm spending, Democratic pledges to investigate him, and other Ukraine news including Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Elon Musk's Tesla and SpaceX lose over $420 billion in combined market cap after midtermsCNBC reports that Elon Musk's Tesla and SpaceX lost over $420 billion in combined market cap in the two days after the U.S. midterms, with Democrats winning control of the House and Senate and most of Musk's backed candidates losing, including allies of his in Texas. Forbes estimates his wealth fell about $90 billion, and investors expect probes and steeper regulatory hurdles to the companies' AI and merger ambitions.
Musk Told to Save Records on Ukraine Satellite SlowdownKyiv Post reports that US Senate Democrats, citing CNN, are preparing investigations into the October 2026 Starshield restrictions that disrupted Ukrainian drone missions and have asked Elon Musk to preserve related documents, with bipartisan letters also seeking a Defense Department inspector general probe. Record-preservation requests additionally target banks, ports, and firms involved in Russian diesel transactions, and Democrats are projected to take control of Congress after the Nov. 3, 2026 midterms.
Elon Musk will face scrutiny from Democrats after midtermsnpr.org· 10d
NPR reports that most candidates Elon Musk backed in the 2026 midterms lost despite his spending more than $445 million — including over $200 million in Texas, where Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott both lost. It forecasts that a Democratic Congress will likely investigate the billions in government contracts his companies won and his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump is back to not caring if Ukraine bombs Russiadailykos.com· 11d
A Daily Kos article argues that President Trump, who earlier pressured Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries over diesel prices, has gone quiet now that Ukraine resumed the attacks after the November 2026 election. kos calls the Russian diesel deal political theater, notes U.S. energy firms want no part of it, and says U.S. intelligence reportedly aided Ukraine's strikes all along.
Russian Airstrike Kills 31 at Ukraine Aid Center
A Russian airstrike on a school in Komyshuvakha, Ukraine, where residents had gathered to receive humanitarian aid, killed at least 31 people, left nearly 50 missing, and ranks among the deadliest Russian strikes of 2026, local authorities say. The Journal reports Russia's escalating missile-and-drone barrages on cities and energy infrastructure, Zelensky's warning that "Ukraine must be helped to defend its skies, otherwise Russia will never stop its missile strikes," and U.S.-brokered three-way talks set for Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi that few officials expect to produce a breakthrough.
Russia burns … Ukraine unleashes independent drone and missile strikesA video report from RFU News describes how Ukraine's missiles and drones can strike targets inside Russia without Elon Musk's Starlink, after 10 days of Starlink speed restrictions disrupted Ukrainian drone operations. Firepoint says its weapons navigate autonomously, and Ukrainian strikes hit at least 28 Russian facilities in two weeks, while its FP9 missile, with a range of about 800 kilometers, is expected to approach combat readiness before the end of the year.
Defund Elon Musk | Robert ReichIn a Guardian column, Robert Reich argues that no private individual should hold the power over US foreign policy that Elon Musk has wielded in Ukraine, citing Wall Street Journal reports that Musk slowed Starlink service relied on by Ukrainian forces. He says Musk is the largest known donor of the 2026 midterms, calls him and Donald Trump conmen and megalomaniacs, and urges readers to stop buying Teslas, quit X, and support politicians promising to defund him.
Jeffries: Democrats will deal with Hegseth if Trump doesn’tthehill.com· 19d
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will run Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "out of town" if they win the November 2026 midterms, and will "deal with that situation" if President Trump does not push him out. Congress is set to vote on Hegseth's impeachment when it returns in November, a process Republican Rep. Thomas Massie began in September 2026, while Jeffries has not said how he will vote. Sen. Adam Schiff says Democrats should have Hegseth and anyone with knowledge of the Ukraine Starlink disruption, which Musk and Trump each deny causing, testify if they take the House.
Trump’s Capitulation to Putin Is Undermining U.S. National SecurityIn an essay on his Substack, Michael McFaul argues that Donald Trump's second-term concessions to Vladimir Putin—ending aid to Ukraine, waiving new sanctions and tariffs, easing sanctions on Russian diesel, and restricting SpaceX's satellite service Ukraine relies on—have emboldened Putin without slowing his war. McFaul hopes a newly balanced Congress in 2027 will pass new military aid for Ukraine and bar business deals with Russian companies until the war ends.
