Russia massively strikes Ukrainian energy as Starshield limits hamper interceptions — Zelenskyy
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russian troops attacked energy facilities in five regions of Ukraine during the night and morning of November 15. Railway infrastructure was also targeted, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In the past week alone, Russia has deployed over 2,300 attack drones, 1,590 guided aerial bombs, and 15 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
On the night of and morning of November 15, Russian troops attacked energy infrastructure in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Kirovohrad regions. Railway facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions were also targeted.
In addition, the Russians launched strikes on the Donetsk and Kyiv regions. So far, 16 casualties have been reported.
This past week alone, Russia has used more than 2,300 attack drones, 1,590 aerial bombs, and 15 missiles of various types against Ukraine. Brutal strikes that are difficult to counter. Overnight and into this morning, the Russians targeted energy infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia… pic.twitter.com/Dq83GxIndV
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2026
How Starshield limitations affect drone interception
Zelenskyy emphasizes that Russian troops are unhurriedly targeting substations with Shahed strike drones. According to him, some of these strikes are reaching their targets due to speed limitations of the Starshield terminals operating along the front lines and in temporarily occupied territories.
The President explains that Ukrainian interceptor drones lose contact with their operators when they exceed a speed of 161 km/h, or 100 miles per hour. As a result, they cannot catch up with the Russian Shahed jet drones.
"We are counting on these restrictions being lifted. The protection of lives and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter directly depends on this," he emphasizes.
Zelenskyy also instructed teams from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the Office of the President to work closely with the US side and SpaceX.
"It is important to be on the right side of history. It is essential to help Ukraine," the head of state concludes.
On November 12, the Ukrainian military again recorded systematic speed restrictions on Starlink to 161 km/h along the front line and in the temporarily occupied territories.
On November 13, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine clarified that Starlink speed restrictions were detected only in territories temporarily occupied by Russia, while none were found in territories controlled by Ukraine.
The Ministry requested an explanation from SpaceX and the Pentagon.
On November 14, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was also testing alternative satellite communication systems in collaboration with France, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Germany is expected to join these efforts.
