InternationalAvailable in English
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Starlink satellite services are restored
Editorial
Cross Lines editing
Source
Axios
Visuals
Editorial cover when needed
Axios
A
Axios
Original Source
Ukraine has restored full capacity to its Starlink and Starshield satellite services after they were unexpectedly throttled, and has struck a Russian oil refinery despite President Trump's demand that it halt such attacks. The developments deepen strains in U.S.-Ukraine relations following Washington's decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil sales.
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Starlink satellite services are restored
*
* Newsletters
*
* Axios Pro
* Axios Live
* The Axios Show
Axios
Axios
3 hours ago - World
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Starlink satellite services are restored
* Barak Ravid
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Add Axios on Google
!Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts during a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Oct. 14, 2026 in London.
*Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts during a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Oct. 14, 2026 in London. Photo: Henry Nicholls-WPA Pool/Getty Images*
Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield satellite services — critical tools in its war against Russia that were unexpectedly throttled this week — have been restored to full capacity, a Ukrainian official tells Axios.
* The official also said that Ukraine conducted a strike overnight against a Russian oil refinery — defying President Trump's demand that it stop hitting those facilities.
**Why it matters:** The twin developments further strained the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, as the war with Russia drags on and the Trump administration sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week by lifting sanctions on Russian oil sales.
**State of play:** The move angered Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by calling it "a weak decision" and a "gift to Putin." Trump then called for Ukraine to elect a new president.
* The crisis intensified this week when Elon Musk's SpaceX restricted service of Starlink — a satellite service used for defensive purposes in battle — while Starshield, a tool used for offensive war operations that is controlled by the U.S. government, was also slowed.
* After more than a day, the services were restored. Ukraine, meanwhile, fired on a Russian oil refinery, which U.S. officials are unlikely to look kindly upon.
* The Ukrainian official said the country resumed strikes because Russia continued to hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, despite Trump announcing that the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire.
* That declaration came as a surprise to Zelensky.
**The bottom line:** It's still unclear to many inside the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government whether Trump ordered the satellite restrictions or not.
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
What to read next
*
*
*
*
*
*
Smarter, faster on what matters.
Explore Axios Newsletters
* About Axios
* Advertise with us
* Careers
* Contact us
* Newsletters
* Axios Live
* Axios HQ
* Privacy policy
* Terms of use
*
Axios Homepage
Axios Media Inc., 2026
*
* Newsletters
*
* Axios Pro
* Axios Live
* The Axios Show
Axios
Axios
3 hours ago - World
Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Starlink satellite services are restored
* Barak Ravid
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Add Axios on Google
!Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts during a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Oct. 14, 2026 in London.
*Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts during a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Oct. 14, 2026 in London. Photo: Henry Nicholls-WPA Pool/Getty Images*
Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield satellite services — critical tools in its war against Russia that were unexpectedly throttled this week — have been restored to full capacity, a Ukrainian official tells Axios.
* The official also said that Ukraine conducted a strike overnight against a Russian oil refinery — defying President Trump's demand that it stop hitting those facilities.
**Why it matters:** The twin developments further strained the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, as the war with Russia drags on and the Trump administration sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week by lifting sanctions on Russian oil sales.
**State of play:** The move angered Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by calling it "a weak decision" and a "gift to Putin." Trump then called for Ukraine to elect a new president.
* The crisis intensified this week when Elon Musk's SpaceX restricted service of Starlink — a satellite service used for defensive purposes in battle — while Starshield, a tool used for offensive war operations that is controlled by the U.S. government, was also slowed.
* After more than a day, the services were restored. Ukraine, meanwhile, fired on a Russian oil refinery, which U.S. officials are unlikely to look kindly upon.
* The Ukrainian official said the country resumed strikes because Russia continued to hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, despite Trump announcing that the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire.
* That declaration came as a surprise to Zelensky.
**The bottom line:** It's still unclear to many inside the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government whether Trump ordered the satellite restrictions or not.
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
What to read next
*
*
*
*
*
*
Smarter, faster on what matters.
Explore Axios Newsletters
* About Axios
* Advertise with us
* Careers
* Contact us
* Newsletters
* Axios Live
* Axios HQ
* Privacy policy
* Terms of use
*
Axios Homepage
Axios Media Inc., 2026
🔗 Share Article
Tags:#أوكرانيا#روسيا#ستارلينك#دونالد ترامب#فولوديمير زيلينسكي#العقوبات
Source: Axios
For Context
Related reads from the same topic or latest developments
