Ukraine seeks answers from Pentagon and SpaceX as Starlink speeds are limited along front lines
Photo: Starlink (Getty Images)
Ukraine's Defense Ministry has reached out to SpaceX and the US Department of War seeking clarification on the Starlink speed restriction, citing sources in the Defense Ministry.
As of today, specialists from Ukraine's Defense Ministry and Armed Forces have detected a speed limit of 161 km/h across all Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
At the same time, no restrictions have been detected in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
The Defense Ministry is communicating with SpaceX representatives to obtain explanations and resolve the situation. The ministry has also contacted the Pentagon for further clarification.
Interceptor drones cannot be used
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Starlink speed restrictions for Ukrainian defenders have been set at 161 km/h.
According to the president, this makes it impossible to use interceptors against jet-powered Shahed drones.
"We still have no clear explanations. I instructed Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense to step up contacts with the US Department of State, the Pentagon, and SpaceX to obtain clarification and resolve the situation," Zelenskyy said.
Use of Starlink by Ukraine's Armed Forces
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said that Starlink has been used in Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale war.
"It is essential for the operation of ground systems and communications, including satellite communications. We use various communication methods, from conventional radio stations and wired communications to satellite communications. It is very convenient, effective, and directly affects the course of combat operations," he stressed.
Ihnat noted that Starlink is used by helicopters that shoot down enemy Shahed drones, as well as by jet-powered interceptor drones, which are currently being introduced as an innovative means of combating enemy aerial targets.
Starlink is also used to intercept enemy jet-powered drones.
The Air Force spokesperson said that the enemy launches large numbers of drones specifically from occupied territories. These include not only various types of Shahed and Gerbera drones, but also tactical-level unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly Molniya drones.
"Therefore, the work of our defenders must improve. The effectiveness of air defense will only increase if Starlink, particularly the Starshield system, operates reliably," Ihnat concluded.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have once again experienced disruptions in Starshield, the military version of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellite system. This is already the second such incident in the past few weeks.
SpaceX denies introducing any new restrictions for Ukraine. In response to a query from Axios, the company said this is not true and no changes have been made.
