Zelenskyy: Starlink again facing restrictions in Ukraine, hampering Russian drone interceptions

Ukraine says renewed speed restrictions on its Starshield satellite system are disrupting its ability to intercept Russian drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the restrictions have affected operations along the frontline and in Russian-occupied areas for several days. Starshield is the military version of SpaceX's Starlink service. It is central to Ukraine's battlefield communications and drone operations. Zelenskyy said connectivity was being restricted when equipment moved faster than 161 kilometers an hour. This limits the speed at which drones can travel while staying connected, not the speed of the internet connection. He said the restrictions were making it harder to intercept Russian jet-powered drones. Some strikes had already got through, he warned, causing further Ukrainian casualties. Ukraine's military concluded the disruptions were systematic, not random technical errors. Kyiv is trying to establish the circumstances with Washington. The restrictions were lifted in late October when Ukraine reported stable connections for equipment moving at speeds above 400 kilometers an hour. SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said Starlink is owned and controlled by the US government. Neither Washington nor SpaceX has publicly accepted responsibility. Ukraine is seeking to renew its access agreement, which expires in mid-2027, while exploring alternatives with Finnish companies.