Satellite Access: Carney links Kyiv deaths to 160 km/h tracking limit

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Friday that limits on Ukraine's satellite access are directly costing lives.

Speaking from Istanbul, Carney criticized the decision makers behind the curbs on Starshield, the military version of Starlink. He noted that the restrictions prevent Ukraine from tracking objects moving faster than 160 kilometres per hour. Carney called recent civilian deaths in Kyiv direct casualties of this reduced ability to detect fast threats.

Ukrainian officials reported the loss of partial Starshield access earlier this week. The system is used to track incoming missiles and jet-powered drones as well as to guide interceptor drones. Starlink, the commercial system, handles internal communications. Zelenskyy said the speed cap complicates the repelling of Russian attacks, resulting in deaths, including children.

Disputes continue over who ordered the restriction. Reuters cited two U.S. officials who said the White House issued the order. The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk ordered it personally. Musk maintains that the U.S. government controls Starshield and that President Donald Trump decides on restrictions. Trump denied ordering the curbs on Friday, stating he does not know who did.

Carney pointed to an attack in central Kyiv within the previous 36 hours. He described it as a direct strike on citizens with no military target. He said the restriction has real human consequences. He also warned that relying on an ally that may change its view puts Canadians at risk, prompting Canada to build sovereign capabilities.

Conflicting reports exist regarding the current status of the link. Trump said on Thursday that Musk restored Ukraine's access. Zelenskyy contradicted this in a CNN interview, stating the system still does not work. Ukrainian military officials confirmed on Friday that the restrictions remain in place. Zelenskyy told NBC that he believes the American government sent the message to limit speed, and SpaceX executed it technically.

The restrictions coincide with strained relations between Kyiv and Washington. Trump is pushing Ukraine for stronger concessions in a peace deal and has asked Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy is working to reduce 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.

Carney said Canada is currently highly reliant on certain systems in certain countries. He said building independent capabilities will take time. The prime minister emphasized that diversification is necessary to protect national security interests.