SpaceX reportedly restricts Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian military, disrupting missions
SpaceX reportedly imposed new speed restrictions on Starlink satellite internet terminals used by Ukrainian forces, disrupting several military missions without advance warning, according to Ukrainian officials and volunteers.
Serhii Sternenko, a Ukrainian volunteer who supplies drones to the military, reported on October 14 that Starlink connections began dropping when terminals were moving faster than approximately 100 mph (160 km/h).
He said the disruption had caused several Ukrainian military missions to fail, while ordinary Starlink terminals continued operating.
Serhii Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian presidential adviser on technology known by the callsign Flash, subsequently confirmed that SpaceX had introduced a speed restriction overnight.
According to Beskrestnov, the restriction affects the military Starshield service and sets a maximum operating speed of 100 mph for terminals in motion.
"Our Defense Forces received no warning about this restriction, and it resulted in the disruption of several missions," Beskrestnov said.
He suggested that the decision was connected to the current political situation, calling its timing unlikely to be coincidental. However, no evidence establishing a political motive has been made public.
The reported restrictions come amid growing tensions over Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries.
On October 13, SpaceX owner Elon Musk backed US President Donald Trump's criticism of Ukraine over rising fuel prices, writing on X that "Zelenskyy has gone too far."
SpaceX has not been independently confirmed to have explained the reported restrictions or their purpose.