Zelenskyy warns Starshield limits are hindering drone interceptions

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network of imposing systematic speed restrictions on Ukrainian military operations, disrupting communications along the front line.

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday (November 12), Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had been experiencing significant disruptions to Starshield operations for several days across the entire front line and in temporarily occupied territories.

He said the newly imposed restrictions effectively limit terminals to speeds of 161 kilometres per hour (100 mph), cutting off connections to platforms moving faster. The restrictions are making it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.

Zelenskyy said he had received briefings from Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. According to him, the military had concluded that the disruptions were not random technical errors.

“Unfortunately, there have already been strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that the restrictions were helping Russian forces kill more Ukrainians and carry out more precise attacks.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv was working with Washington to establish the circumstances behind the latest disruptions.

Ukraine’s General Staff previously reported similar restrictions beginning on October 14, when Starshield connections started dropping on high-speed platforms at 1:43 a.m. The restrictions were fully lifted by October 26, and subsequent tests confirmed stable connections at speeds of up to 470 kilometres per hour, according to the General Staff.

Following the restoration of services, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk acknowledged that the company had throttled its civilian Starlink service. He accused the Ukrainian military of using the system for offensive drone strikes intended to kill people.

However, Musk maintained that the US government controlled any changes to Starshield. US President Donald Trump denied making the decision, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also denied the administration’s involvement.

The latest disruption comes at a sensitive moment for diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. US-mediated talks concluded in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, while US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We are trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side,” Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight on Wednesday caused power outages in nine regions of the country.