Zelensky says ‘people will die’ because of Starlink decision

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned there could be dire consequences after his government reported that its air defense mechanisms had been mired by unannounced limitations on SpaceX satellites. Zelensky, in an interview Wednesday with Piers Morgan, called the slowdown of the company’s Starlink services a “big mistake.”

“People will die, of course, if attacks will continue and if Starlink will not work … it’s not helpful,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader added that he hopes the limitation was only a “mistake,” suggesting it was “maybe a huge technical problem” at SpaceX.

A source familiar told The Hill on Wednesday that Starlink services were cut off for objects that traveled more than 100 miles an hour, impacting the capabilities of Ukraine’s drones, airplanes and helicopters.

The disruption followed the Trump administration’s threats to cut off U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine and the decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel amid sky-high fuel costs.

When pressed by Morgan about whether he felt “betrayed” by President Trump’s deal with Russia, the Ukrainian leader replied, “Really, yes.”

“It’s more complicated than just my emotions or just my feelings,” he added. “Yes, it depends not on me. Our country has to survive.”

Zelensky said it was “a pity” Ukraine is losing the U.S. as a “strong partner” in its military operations against Russia, which have lasted more than four years .

“It’s not about business for us,” he said. “It’s just our life, and this is our country, it’s our body, our home, our children and this is very important for us.”

“That’s why it’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side, but we are OK that he’s in the middle,” the Ukrainian president continued. “But if you’re in the middle, you have to stay in the middle, not on the wrong side. … This is not [the] right side of history.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House and SpaceX for comment.

Morgan’s full interview with Zelensky will air Wednesday evening.