Zelenskyy Says Renewed Starshield Restrictions Are Hampering Ukraine’s Drone Defences

The update

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukrainian units have recorded disruptions to Starshield, SpaceX’s national-security satellite service, across the entire front line and in Russian-occupied territory for several days. He said the military had found systematic speed restrictions capping terminals at 161 kilometres per hour (100 mph), not random errors, and that Ukraine was trying to establish the circumstances with the American side. The warning came as US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin, a day after Abu Dhabi talks ended with a prisoner exchange planned but no ceasefire breakthrough.

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Why it matters

Starshield, built on Starlink technology, is central to Ukraine’s frontline communications. Zelenskyy said the cap disconnects faster-moving terminals and has slowed Ukraine’s interception of Russian jet-powered drones, allowing some strikes through. “This is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians,” he said. Similar restrictions were imposed in October and lifted later that month, so a US-linked system Ukraine’s defences depend on is in dispute again.

What to watch

Whether SpaceX or the White House responds — CNBC said it had sought comment from both — and whether speeds are restored, as they were in October. Also watch the Moscow talks: the envoys were due to seek Putin’s support for bringing European representatives into future negotiations before meeting Zelenskyy in Dublin.

Sources

• bbc.co.uk — confirms the Starshield disruptions, the drone-interception impact and the envoys’ arrival in Moscow
• cnbc.com — confirms the 161 km/h speed cap, the October restrictions and that comment was sought from SpaceX

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