Ukrainian military units face systemic speed restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network along the front line, operating only below 161 kilometers per hour.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Friday that Ukraine has not yet received any explanation regarding why access to the satellite communications network was restricted, as reported by 15min.lt. Kyiv relies on the network to maintain frontline communications and command drones, including interceptors targeting incoming Russian aircraft and unmanned systems.
The speed limitations render it virtually impossible for Ukrainian forces to intercept Russian jet drones capable of reaching speeds up to 1,000 kilometers per hour, according to details reported by vz.lt. The restrictions arrived as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow following trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
Zelenskyy noted via social media on Thursday that the anomalies in Starshield’s performance are not random errors. vz.lt reported his statement that the situation helps Russian forces strike more accurately and inflict heavier casualties.
The military-grade version of the Starlink system operates normally only for equipment moving slower than 161 kilometers per hour. tv3.lt reported that a Ukrainian Defense Ministry source clarified these speed caps do not apply within territories under direct Ukrainian control, but heavily impact contested zones and Russian-occupied areas.
Ukraine previously reported Starshield disruptions last month during a political dispute involving Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump over a diesel agreement between the US and Russia. Access was subsequently restored after Elon Musk and US officials denied responsibility, though Musk later alleged misuse of the standard Starlink service for military operations.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius addressed the situation on Wednesday in Brussels, warning that European trust in SpaceX’s reliability would erode if service failures continue. vz.lt reported Kubilius emphasizing that these are paid contractual obligations rather than gifts to Ukraine.
“Starlink kompanija turi suprasti, kad tai yra kontraktinės paslaugos, tai nėra jų dovana Ukrainai. Už tas paslaugas moka Europos Sąjungos valstybės. Ir jeigu tos paslaugos dėl kažkokių priežasčių bus netinkamos, tai, be abejo, kad pasitikėjimo kompanijos gebėjimu vykdyti kontraktus sumažės.”
said Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space, speaking to journalists in Brussels.
Kubilius added that the European Union plans to launch its own IRIS2 satellite constellation by 2029 to secure independent communication capabilities, though Starshield and Starlink remain vital for Ukraine in the interim.
