Zelensky says Starshield speed limits resumed, hampering Ukraine's drone defenses
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said SpaceX's Starshield satellite communications system has again faced systematic speed restrictions across Ukraine's front line and occupied territories, limiting terminals to 161 kilometers per hour and hindering interception of Russian jet-powered drones. Ukraine is seeking details from the American side. The reports coincided with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin, after Abu Dhabi talks ended without a breakthrough.
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Zelensky says Starshield speed limited again, hampering Ukraine's defences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the speed of SpaceX's Starshield satellite communication system has been limited again, which is hampering Ukraine's defensive capabilities. According to reports from Reuters, CBS News, Axios, and NBC News, the restrictions on the Starshield network are enabling Russian strikes. The reports also mention that U.S. envoys are pushing for a deal and that new talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and European countries have been agreed. The throttling of the satellite system is described as a new restriction facing Ukraine, as Trump envoys meet with Putin.
Read sourceUkraine Loses Starlink Access Again as Kushner Heads to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed Thursday that Ukraine's military-grade Starshield communication system experienced significant disruptions over Russian-occupied areas for several days, describing them as systematic speed restrictions rather than random errors. The disruptions coincided with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arriving in Moscow for peace deal negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Last month, SpaceX also interrupted Ukraine's military-grade Starlink terminals, reportedly following White House orders after Trump criticized Ukraine for attacking Russian oil refineries. Zelenskiy said the disruptions affected Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, resulting in more Russian strikes getting through and more Ukrainian casualties. He stated Ukraine is seeking details from the American side but knows very little, warning that decisions treating Ukrainian territory as not Ukrainian signal where things are heading.
Read sourceZelensky Blames Starshield Slowdown for Helping Russia Kill More Ukrainians
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Ukrainian military units have experienced significant disruptions to SpaceX's Starshield satellite communications system over Ukraine for several days. He stated that Kyiv believes the restrictions are not accidental but a 'systematic speed limitation,' adding that this 'helps the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more precise attacks,' particularly affecting drone defense. Zelensky said he is trying to clarify the circumstances with the American side. Ukraine first reported Starshield problems in October, shortly after a conflict between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump over a US contract to supply Russian diesel fuel. Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk denied responsibility for the throttling and later said the systems were back to normal. Zelensky is in Dublin for a European Political Community summit and plans to meet US mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who had traveled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Ukraine reports renewed Starlink restrictions as US envoys visit Moscow
Ukrainian officials have reported that restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service, also referred to as Starshield, have been reimposed, significantly disrupting Ukraine's defense communications. The disruptions coincide with the arrival of U.S. envoys in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Reuters, President Zelenskyy stated that Starshield speed has been limited again, hampering Ukraine's defenses. The Financial Times, CNBC, The Guardian, NBC News, and Reuters all reported on the renewed restrictions, which Ukraine warns could affect its operational capabilities. The timing of the restrictions, as U.S. envoys meet with Putin, raises concerns about the reliability of the service amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Read sourceUkraine warns of fresh Starshield disruptions as U.S. envoys arrive in Moscow for Putin talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is investigating fresh restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield satellite service, describing them as systematic speed limitations rather than random errors. He said the restrictions impose an effective speed limit of 161 kilometers per hour on terminals, disconnecting anything moving faster, which hampers Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian jet-powered drones. Zelenskyy said some strikes have gotten through because interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds in time. The comments came as U.S.-brokered peace talks wrapped up in Abu Dhabi without a major breakthrough, and U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The envoys were met by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev and were later expected to meet Zelenskyy on the sidelines of a political summit in Ireland. CNBC said it reached out to SpaceX and the White House for comment.