NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 — A decision to limit a satellite network used by Ukraine for military communications and drone missions originated within the White House, according to two U.S. officials and a Western official familiar with the matter.

The officials said Defense Department leaders were informed that SpaceX’s Starshield service, which supports the Ukrainian military, was to be restricted.

Those speaking anonymously did not identify the White House official who made the decision or clarify who carried it out. The Pentagon is Starshield’s largest customer. The service is the military-focused counterpart to SpaceX’s Starlink network.

Ukrainian officials said this week that military-grade Starlink terminals in Ukraine had stopped functioning when attached to rapidly moving equipment. The disruption affected Ukrainian drones that depend on the terminals for onboard navigation within Ukrainian territory.

A source at Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said Thursday that the terminals had resumed working while in motion, though only at speeds below 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometers per hour.

The temporary limits on the communications network came as President Donald Trump pressed Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump has linked those strikes to rising energy costs, which he said could hurt Republican prospects in the November midterm elections.

Energy analysts, however, say the increase in fuel prices has been driven largely by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Iranian attacks on energy facilities and major disruption through the Strait of Hormuz have reduced supplies to global markets.

Asked about the reported Starshield restrictions, a senior U.S. official said, “No such request was ever made by the president.”

The White House did not answer questions about whether another administration official may have issued such an instruction.

SpaceX created Starshield for government and national-security users, with the U.S. Department of Defense among its main clients. The system relies on the Starlink satellite constellation for its core infrastructure.

Ukrainian officials said the restrictions made it harder to conduct strikes against Russian troops and supply routes in occupied areas. They also slowed interceptor drones deployed against incoming Russian Shahed drones.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, said Wednesday that Starshield systems are owned and directed by the U.S. government. He said any restrictions involving speed or operations are determined by the U.S. military or the president.

SpaceX did not provide a response when asked for comment.

The Defense Department and Ukraine’s embassy in Washington also did not respond to requests for comment.

Tensions between Kyiv and Washington have increased in recent days after an Oct. 9 meeting in Miami involving representatives from the United States, Ukraine, Europe and the World Bank.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, the administration’s Middle East envoy, took a firm position toward Ukraine during the meeting, according to another person familiar with the discussions. They told Ukrainian representatives that Washington was increasingly frustrated by Kyiv’s continuing attacks on Russian refineries despite repeated requests to stop.

The U.S. delegation also outlined Washington’s agreement to purchase diesel from Russia, saying the White House hoped the arrangement could encourage Moscow to take a less rigid position in peace negotiations.

Under the arrangement, Russia is expected to supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel to U.S. and international markets. The deal has drawn criticism from some American lawmakers, who argue it could provide Moscow with revenue for the war without requiring President Vladimir Putin to make meaningful concessions.

In the days after the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Trump exchanged public criticism. Zelenskiy described the Russian diesel agreement as “weak,” while Trump called for elections in Ukraine and for Zelenskiy to leave office.

Privately, U.S. officials warned that intelligence sharing on Russian missile launches could be suspended, according to earlier reporting. Ukraine uses that intelligence to counter incoming attacks. Trump said Tuesday that Washington was continuing to provide intelligence to Kyiv.

After Ukraine’s access to Starshield was restricted, Ukrainian officials contacted senior representatives at the White House, State Department and Pentagon on Tuesday and Wednesday seeking clarification, a senior Ukrainian official said. Kyiv was told that the decision had come from the White House.

The Pentagon has invested billions of dollars in Starlink and Starshield capabilities. It has also purchased dedicated Starshield satellites, including communications spacecraft for missile-warning operations and a surveillance constellation for the National Reconnaissance Office.