Ukraine carried out a drone attack on a Russian refinery early Thursday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of continuing its "bloody terror" in an online statement. The strike follows a day of alarm in Kyiv over the sudden loss of Starlink connectivity that powers its drone operations—a development that has sparked questions about U.S. support and raised suspicions among Republicans about President Trump's motives.
Ukrainian defense adviser Serhii Breskrestnov described the Starlink outage as a "speed limit" imposed by SpaceX on the terminals, suggesting a deliberate throttling rather than a technical glitch. The disruption has hampered Ukraine's ability to coordinate drone strikes, which have become a cornerstone of its defense strategy against Russian aggression.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Wednesday night that the loss of Starshield—a more secure version of Starlink used by the Pentagon—may have been caused by a "snafu" within military systems. He vowed to request a formal investigation into the matter, which has fueled accusations of betrayal among Ukrainian supporters. The Starlink cutoff in Ukraine has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over Trump's commitment to Kyiv.
The incident comes as Trump's relationship with Zelensky has deteriorated sharply. The president recently signed a deal to import Russian diesel and lifted sanctions on Moscow, blaming the Ukrainian leader for rising fuel prices at home. Critics argue the move undermines U.S. leverage and emboldens Russia, but Trump has doubled down, framing his policy as a cost-saving measure for American consumers.
On the campaign trail, Trump is trying to rally GOP voters ahead of the midterms. Late Wednesday, he held a rally in Montana, following a stop in Arizona, where he made headlines for calling for leakers to be shot. On Thursday, Trump will remain at the White House, participating in two tele-rallies, including one for Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who is seeking a full term. The midterm blitz is part of a broader GOP effort to maintain control of the House, but some strategists worry that Trump's fiery rhetoric could overshadow the party's economic message.
Vice President Vance will travel to Monroe, Michigan, for a rally on Thursday, and will later tape a town hall set to air on CBS News on Saturday. The administration's focus on battleground states underscores the high stakes of the upcoming elections, with control of Congress hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, the battlefield communications crisis in Ukraine has intensified scrutiny of Trump's dealings with Russia. Reports that the president signed a diesel deal with Moscow have sparked outrage among Democrats and some Republicans, who see it as a concession to an adversary. The Russian diesel deal may not actually lower gas prices, analysts say, but it has already strained transatlantic relations.
As the day unfolds, Ukraine's military continues to adapt to the Starlink disruption, relying on alternative communication methods. Zelensky has called on international partners to restore full connectivity, warning that the outage could have serious consequences for the war effort. The situation remains fluid, with both military and political reverberations likely to be felt in the coming days.
