Ukraine says Starshield speed limits disrupted drone missions

The Big Picture

Ukraine says unexpected restrictions on satellite internet connections used by its military disrupted drone operations and other combat missions as Russia launched major attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.

The reported limits began overnight Tuesday and affected connected terminals or weapons moving faster than about 100 mph, or 160 km/h. Ukrainian officials said the restrictions arrived without warning and came amid worsening tensions between Kyiv and Washington over attacks on Russian energy facilities.

Elon Musk said the affected military-focused system, Starshield, is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. He said decisions on limits to its speed or use are made by the U.S. military and ultimately President Donald Trump. The White House and Pentagon had not publicly confirmed or explained the restrictions.

What Happened

Serhii Beskrestnov, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s adviser on defense technology, said Ukrainian forces began encountering restrictions Tuesday night. He said military users had not received advance notice and that several missions failed or were disrupted.

Beskrestnov said the limit applied to the military-grade service at speeds above 100 mph. Ukraine relies on satellite connectivity to maintain links between drone operators and aircraft over long distances, including in areas where conventional communications may be vulnerable to jamming.

Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps said the new data-transfer limits affected drones used for in-flight control and forced it to cancel some planned operations in the Zaporizhzhia region, NBC News reported. A Ukrainian official also told NBC that units were reporting operational problems at lower drone speeds.

The scope of the disruption remains unclear. The Guardian reported that static terminals had not been cut off, meaning critical battlefield communications for troops could remain available. Ukrainian officials and advisers have said the restrictions had broader consequences for mobile military operations.

Why It Matters

Beskrestnov said Starlink-enabled interceptors are among Ukraine’s key defenses against Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones. The faster Shaheds have posed a growing challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, and he said the connectivity limits reduced Ukraine’s ability to counter them.

The Institute for the Study of War told the BBC that a 100 mph cap would make Starlink-connected interceptors ineffective against jet-powered Shaheds, which the BBC said fly at speeds above 198 mph. The BBC also described the satellite service as a central element of Ukraine’s military communications network.

The restrictions coincided with two nights of Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv that Ukrainian officials said came without their usual advance warnings from partners. Trump denied that the United States had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian advisers had received threats that intelligence sharing could be restricted.

Russia’s strikes damaged Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and Zelenskyy said at least 600,000 people were without electricity.

What Each Side Is Saying

Ukrainian officials have sought clarification from SpaceX and the U.S. government. Beskrestnov said the timing could not be a coincidence and linked it to the political situation, though the specific cause and decision-maker behind the restrictions have not been publicly established.

Zelenskyy called the restriction a “big mistake” and warned that people would die if it continued, according to multiple reports.

Musk drew a distinction between commercial Starlink and Starshield. He said commercial Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action. He said Starshield, the government-focused service, is controlled by the U.S. government.

What Happens Next

Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov said by Wednesday evening that connectivity had been partially restored. CNBC reported that service had returned for speeds up to 160 km/h, though Fedorov said removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely remained critical for Ukraine’s defense.

It remains uncertain whether the speed restrictions will be fully lifted, whether they apply consistently across Ukrainian units, and whether the U.S. government will provide a public explanation. The episode has intensified concern in Kyiv about the reliability of U.S. military support during a period of continued Russian attacks.