Carney Cites Starshield Limits in Kyiv Casualties

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Istanbul on Friday that restrictions on Ukraine’s access to the Starshield satellite network are directly causing civilian deaths. He questioned the judgment of the individuals who approved the curbs, describing the situation as concerning for a nation fighting for its survival.

Carney noted that he searched for the right adjective to describe the decision-makers behind the move against a country facing naked aggression. He stated that the restrictions have real human consequences, pointing to a recent strike in central Kyiv that hit citizens rather than military targets.

Ukrainian officials reported losing part of their Starshield access early last week. The network, the military version of SpaceX’s Starlink system, allows Ukraine to track incoming missiles and jet-powered drones. It also guides interceptor and spy drones, while the commercial Starlink service handles internal communications.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the loss of access prevents Ukraine from tracking objects traveling faster than 160 kilometers per hour. This gap complicates efforts to repel Russian attacks, leading to civilian casualties, including children. Zelenskyy disputed claims that the issue is resolved, stating in a CNN interview that the system still does not work.

Responsibility for the order remains disputed. Reuters cited two U.S. officials who said the order came from the White House. The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk ordered it personally. Musk has stated that the U.S. government controls Starshield and that the military decides on restrictions. President Donald Trump denied ordering the curbs, saying on Friday that he did not know who was responsible.

Carney used the incident to argue for diversifying Canada’s defense partnerships. He said relying on an ally that might change its view puts Canadians at risk. He noted that Canada is currently highly reliant on certain systems in specific countries and must build sovereign capabilities to reduce that dependence.

Zelenskyy is moving to decrease reliance on the U.S. network. On Thursday, he signed a letter of intent with Finnish companies Nokia and ICEYE to develop a Ukrainian satellite communications network. This move comes as relations between Kyiv and Washington strain under pressure for peace deal concessions.