ALT: Betty White as Adamantium Mutant Wolverine

ALT: Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines Gaf

Reprint (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1960)

Estonia has called for Ukraine to turn Russian oil refineries into "ruins," arguing that the recent US decision to allow imports of Russian diesel fuel was a mistake and urging an increase in military support for Kyiv. Prime Minister Kristen Michal responded to the US move—calling it a "big mistake"—by proposing that the European Council discuss ramping up aid to Ukraine so that its military could destroy Russian oil refineries. Michal said he plans to raise the topic at the European Council meeting next week. "In Estonia, and at the European Council meeting next week, we need to discuss whether we can quickly increase support to Ukraine so Ukrainians can turn Russian oil refineries into ruins," Michal said. The prime minister argued that deals with dictators "lead to hell." Instead of letting the Kremlin profit from oil exports, Michal said Europe should focus on assisting Ukraine. He emphasized that revenues from oil and fuel sales are used to fund Russia's war against Ukraine. Michal added that new agreements on Russian energy exports contradict Western efforts to limit Russia's income. Michal is urging the European Union and its partners to give Ukraine's armed forces enough resources to systematically destroy Russia's oil refinery infrastructure. He stated that it is not the time to lift sanctions or make concessions in the energy sector. His remarks came after reports circulated that American diplomats have pressured Ukraine to scale back or halt drone strikes against Russian oil refineries. Estonia and the other Baltic states have consistently backed tougher sanctions against Russia and the lifting of restrictions on long-range weaponry for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the US decision by proposing an agreement: Ukraine would refrain from attacking Russian refineries if Russia stopped destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Analysts have questioned whether Russian diesel imports would lower fuel prices in the US. Some have also pointed out that the deal may contradict American law. Germany stated that it will maintain its sanctions against Russia, while former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the US decision "disgusting". Entrepreneur, economist, and crisis management expert Oleh Sarkyts discusses in his article how attacks on Russia's refining and energy industries could increase economic pressure on Moscow.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has publicly challenged Elon Musk after SpaceX imposed unannounced speed restrictions on military-grade Starlink (StarShield) terminals used by Ukrainian forces, disrupting mid-strike drone operations and interceptor missions against Russian drones. Trump says U.S. still sharing intel, even as Ukraine reports attacks with no warnings On Wednesday, Sikorski quote-tweeted a Kyiv Independent report and addressed Musk directly: “Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you.” The “big man” phrasing deliberately echoes their 2025 public clash, when Musk told Sikorski to “be quiet, small man” after the Polish minister noted that Warsaw – not SpaceX as charity – pays for the service. Hey, @elonmusk , big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you. https://t.co/T385xpUEUu — Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) October 14, 2026 Ukrainian officials confirmed the restrictions hit overnight without warning. Presidential adviser Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov said SpaceX limited the StarShield military package so that terminals lose connectivity above 100 mph (160 km/h). Ukraine’s 7th Air Assault Corps reported connectivity drops of 10–20 seconds even at 110–120 km/h, forcing cancellation of missions in the Huliaipole sector. Some military sources later indicated further tightening, with dropouts beginning at 60–70 km/h. Ordinary civilian terminals were reportedly unaffected. Beskrestnov stated that “this action cannot be a coincidence and is associated with the current political situation.” The move arrives amid a sharp deterioration in the broader diplomatic and operational environment. Recent days have seen Trump announce a controversial arrangement involving Russian diesel, pressure Kyiv to halt deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure (citing effects on U.S. consumers and prices), calls for Zelenskyy to step aside, and a unilateral “energy ceasefire” announcement that surprised both sides. Musk himself posted that “Zelenskyy has gone too far.” Ukrainian forces rely on Starlink for real-time control of longer-range drones that target Russian logistics in occupied areas, as well as for interceptor drones against jet-powered Shaheds. Disrupting moving terminals directly impairs that capability. Dropping Ukraine, not just Zelenskyy Poland is the primary funder of Ukraine’s Starlink network. Warsaw has supplied more than 29,000 terminals since the full-scale invasion and continues to cover operating costs—previously estimated by Sikorski at roughly $50 million per year. Sikorski has repeatedly described the arrangement as one of Poland’s most effective investments in Ukraine’s defence and has warned before that unreliable service could force Warsaw to seek alternatives. In an August 2026 exchange over roaming restrictions affecting Polish users, he again referenced the annual outlay and the possibility of reconsideration. This episode is a direct continuation of the tensions EUalive has tracked in recent days. While Trump has stated that the United States continues to share intelligence with Ukraine, Kyiv has reported Russian ballistic-missile strikes (including on energy and residential targets in the capital) that arrived with little or no prior warning from partners. Ukrainian officials have linked both the intelligence-warning issues and the Starlink throttling to U.S. pressure over refinery strikes and the broader political climate involving the Trump–Putin contacts. No public response from Musk or SpaceX had been reported at the time of writing. Ukrainian and Polish officials have not presented documentary evidence that the speed limits were ordered from Washington, but the timing, the exclusive focus on the military package, the absence of prior notice, and the explicit political framing by Ukrainian advisers have fuelled the perception that Starlink is being used as leverage. For Europe the incident underscores a structural vulnerability: a critical wartime communications backbone for Ukraine, largely financed by a NATO ally, remains subject to the decisions of a single private company whose owner is closely aligned with the current U.S. administration. Sikorski’s “we are watching” warning is both a reminder of Poland’s financial role and an indication that continued restrictions could accelerate European efforts to reduce dependence on Starlink for military use. Caption: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski attends the Warsaw Security Forum in Warsaw, Poland, 13 October 2026. The two-day Warsaw Security Forum, attended by representatives from the worlds of politics, the military, diplomacy, the defense industry, and expert communities from 90 countries, is organized by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. EPA/RADEK PIETRUSZKA

Musk? Trump? Or both?

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