Elon Musk ordered restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield satellite service in Ukraine, affecting the operation of some Ukrainian drones, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials and people familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Musk capped the connection speeds available to Ukrainian equipment using the military-grade system, rendering some drones ineffective.

The report contrasts with statements from US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, both of whom denied directing changes to the service.

Hegseth said Tuesday that the Pentagon had issued no instructions to restrict Starshield. "We haven't pulled anything back," he said.

Trump had also denied requesting curbs, saying on Friday that he did not believe Musk had initiated them either.

Musk, however, had previously said that decisions on limiting Starshield's speed or usage rested with the US military and ultimately the president.

Ukraine reported restrictions to the service last week, shortly after Trump criticised Kyiv and urged it to stop targeting Russian oil refineries.

Starshield is used by Ukrainian forces for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drone operations. Ukraine also uses SpaceX's civilian Starlink network.

The reported restrictions come amid worsening relations between Washington and Kyiv. Trump has called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced after Zelensky criticised a US deal that would allow more Russian diesel to enter global markets.

With AFP inputs