The Ukrainian military has regained full access to Starshield, the military arm of the American satellite network Starlink, following a temporary disruption that limited drone speeds to 160 kilometers per hour, nos.nl reported on the basis of a Ukrainian Defense Ministry source. The restriction had impeded Kyiv’s frontline logistics and aerial defense capabilities amidst an intense wave of Russian infrastructure attacks.
Disruptions Hit Frontline Drone Operations and Logistics
The connectivity issues restricted Ukrainian drones from exceeding 160 kilometers per hour, hampering both aerial defense efforts and long-range strike missions. Serhii Beskrestnov, a military advisor to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated in a Facebook post that “our defense troops have not received any warning about this,” adding that “by their actions, our partners are depriving us of one of the few options available to defend the country against such attacks.”
While the Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed that connectivity has returned, it noted that SpaceX continues to maintain specific operational speed limits for connected drones. According to Agence France-Presse reports, the ministry stated that “SpaceX is maintaining the limit of 161 kilometers per hour. Gedurende de dag lagen de werkelijke limieten aanzienlijk lager.” Elon Musk clarified in a post on X that Starlink usage is limited to civilian or defensive activities. He wrote that Starshield, intended for governments, is in the hands of the American government and that any limits on speed or use are determined by the American military and, ultimately, the president.
Zelenskyy Rejects Technical Failure Explanations
Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly rejected the notion that a standard technical glitch caused the outage. In an interview with the Financial Times reported by nos.nl, Zelenskyy stated that “it was not a technical problem, it was deliberate.” The disruption coincided with heightened tensions surrounding U.S. policy shifts and a temporary pause on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries initiated at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The restrictions followed public comments from Elon Musk on X stating that Zelenskyy had “gone too far” in response to a video where President Trump called on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Neither SpaceX nor the White House provided immediate comment on the timing of the service limitations.
Energy Infrastructure Under Renewed Attack
Following the expiration of the temporary pause—which Zelenskyy abandoned after Russia continued attacking the energy sector in Ukraine—Ukraine resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry described its ongoing operations as a mass strike targeting six thermal power plants and key electrical substations supplying Kyiv and surrounding regions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that there is work being done to define the perimeter of the energy cease-fire. The status of the cease-fire remains unclear as Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine has not attacked Russian oil refineries since the announcement of the cease-fire, while Russia has not committed to a cease-fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific speed restriction did SpaceX apply to Ukrainian drones?
SpaceX limited connected Ukrainian drones to a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, with actual operational limits dropping significantly lower during the disruption, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
Who confirmed the restoration of the Starshield network?
A source within the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the return of full access to the Reuters news agency, as reported by nos.nl.
What reason did Elon Musk give for limiting the service?
Elon Musk stated on X that Starlink usage is restricted to civilian or defensive activities and must not be used for offensive military actions, noting that Starshield is in the hands of the American government.
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