Zelensky Accuses Trump of Betrayal as Ukraine Faces Russian Barrages and Starlink Restrictions | WPN World People News

Russia launched massive airstrikes on five major power plants across Ukraine overnight from October 13 into the early hours of October 14, cutting electricity to more than 600,000 households and killing at least six people. As the attacks unfolded, Starshield, a military satellite communications system heavily relied upon by Ukrainian forces, was reportedly subjected to sudden restrictions, severely disrupting Ukraine’s air defense operations. In an interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed by U.S. President Donald Trump for choosing to “side with the other party,” accusing Washington’s technical restrictions of directly contributing to casualties among Ukrainian civilians and military personnel.

Ukrainian military technology advisers and the Defense Ministry said Starshield terminals, operated under the U.S. military’s control, were being used for interceptor drones designed to pursue fast-moving Russian drones, as well as for medium-range attack missions. The U.S. military allegedly imposed an unexpected speed limit, causing network connections to be cut off whenever drones exceeded 160 kilometers per hour, resulting in failed missions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk publicly clarified that Starshield belongs to the U.S. government and that all controls and restrictions are directly managed by the U.S. military, with decisions made by the military and President Trump. The White House, however, reportedly told Ukraine that it could not control private companies. The conflicting accounts have further eroded military trust between Washington and Kyiv, bringing bilateral relations to a historic low.

Analysts suggest that the Starshield restrictions may be linked to the Trump administration’s efforts to broker an “energy ceasefire” between the United States and Russia. Under the reported arrangement, Washington agreed to lift certain sanctions related to Russian diesel exports while demanding that Ukraine halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. In response to what Kyiv sees as a dramatic shift in Washington’s position, Zelenskyy made an urgent visit to London on October 14 to seek assistance. The British government announced that it would accelerate the delivery of surface-to-air missiles to meet Ukraine’s urgent defense needs.

Zelenskyy reiterated in his interview that defending Ukraine is a matter of survival, not a commercial transaction. He stressed that Ukraine would never make concessions involving its territory or national security.