Zelenskyy reports renewed major disruptions to Starshield over Ukraine
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Significant disruptions to Starshield operations have been occurring over Ukrainian territory in recent days. They have been reported along the entire front line, as well as in temporarily occupied territories, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the head of state, on November 12, he heard briefings from Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi.
"Unfortunately, our units have been recording significant disruptions to Starshield’s operations over the territory of Ukraine for several days now – along the entire front line and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Specifically, systematic speed restrictions are being imposed on Starshield, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour)," Zelenskyy said.
He also noted that Ukraine's Defense Forces had already investigated the circumstances surrounding the issue. It turned out that these were not random errors but a systematic speed restriction.
The president explained that disruptions to Starshield operations are primarily making it much more difficult to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.
"Unfortunately, there have already been strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time. Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine," Zelenskyy stressed.
He added that Kyiv was already doing everything possible to clarify the circumstances of the latest developments with Washington.
The previous problems with Starlink terminals occurred on October 14. The military version of the Starshield satellite communications system stopped functioning properly when moving at speeds above approximately 160 km/h. When the set limit was exceeded, the terminals lost their connection. This negatively affected, in particular, the operation of interceptor drones used by Ukrainian troops to destroy Russian Shahed drones.
According to sources cited by RBC-Ukraine, the restrictions also complicated the conduct of mid-strikes. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Elon Musk to resolve the issue, warning of the risk of further casualties among Ukrainians. On the same day, Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine.
On the evening of October 14, the Ministry of Defense reported improved connection quality at speeds of up to 160 km/h. But the restriction at 161 km/h remained in effect. The ministry said it was continuing negotiations with partners and SpaceX to ensure stable service and prevent the sudden introduction of new restrictions.
Later, on October 24, sources in the Ministry of Defense told RBC-Ukraine that military Starlink operations at speeds above 161 km/h had been restored.
On October 24, American billionaire Elon Musk said that without Starlink, the Ukrainian front would collapse immediately.
It later became known that Democrats were preparing an investigation into Musk over the slowdown of Starshield operations in Ukraine.
