Ukraine is facing renewed pressure to protect its cities and critical infrastructure after deadly Russian missile attacks exposed vulnerabilities in its defences and raised fresh concerns about its reliance on US-linked military technology.
The latest strikes hit Kyiv for two consecutive nights, killing 15 people across the country and damaging energy facilities, according to the report. Parts of the capital were left without electricity as Ukrainian officials warned of the growing threat posed by Russia’s continued attacks.
The situation has also drawn attention to Ukraine’s dependence on satellite communications and intelligence support from its Western allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Elon Musk to restore Starlink services, which Ukrainian forces use for communications and drone operations. Reports of reduced speeds on some terminals raised concerns about the military’s ability to operate strike and interceptor drones effectively.
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Starlink operations at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour were being restored, allowing affected drones to fly again.
Musk, however, said restrictions involving Starshield were determined by the US government, explaining that the military satellite system was owned and controlled by Washington.
The developments have intensified concerns in Kyiv about the reliability of support from its international partners as Russia continues targeting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
A senior Ukrainian official also alleged that Washington had threatened to suspend intelligence about Russian missile launches. US President Donald Trump denied making such a threat.
Zelensky expressed frustration with Washington’s approach to the conflict, particularly amid reports of discussions over diesel supplies from Russia. Moscow, meanwhile, said it was monitoring developments but cautioned against drawing conclusions about a shift in US policy.
The latest attacks have renewed questions about Ukraine’s ability to defend its population and energy supplies as winter approaches.
With satellite communications, intelligence sharing and international support remaining vital to its war effort, Kyiv faces the challenge of maintaining its defences while navigating uncertainty over the future of its relationship with Washington.