Starshield speed restrictions affect Russian-occupied Ukraine, not Kyiv-held areas - Defense Ministry sources
SpaceX's Starshield satellite communications system is subject to a 161 km/h (100 mph) terminal movement speed limit across Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, while no such restrictions have been detected in areas controlled by Kyiv, sources at Ukraine's Defense Ministry told hromadske.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Armed Forces specialists have recorded the restriction throughout Russian-occupied territory. The ministry is contacting SpaceX representatives to seek an explanation and resolve the issue, while also requesting clarification from the US Department of War.
The restriction concerns how fast a Starshield terminal can travel while maintaining connectivity, rather than the speed of its internet connection.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on November 12 that the speed limits along the front line and across occupied territory were preventing Ukraine from using certain interceptor drones against Russia's faster, jet-powered Shahed attack drones.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian military specialists had examined the latest restrictions and concluded that they were systematic rather than accidental technical errors.
The restrictions were reported for the second time in a month. Similar limits were first recorded on October 14, before Ukraine announced on October 24 that Starlink and Starshield connectivity had been restored at movement speeds exceeding 400 km/h (249 mph).
According to the Financial Times, some senior Ukrainian officials suspect that the latest restrictions were deliberately imposed to increase pressure on Kyiv during peace negotiations. The allegations have not been independently established.
During the previous disruption, the White House denied involvement and attributed the restrictions to a technical malfunction. Elon Musk has said that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government.
Ukraine relies on satellite communications for military operations, including the use of drones, making restrictions on terminals operating at high speeds particularly consequential.