Ukraine says SpaceX restrictions on Starlink disrupted military missions
Ukraine says SpaceX imposed an unannounced speed restriction on Starlink terminals in motion, disrupting several military missions during overnight Russian attacks. Presidential adviser Sergiy Beskrestnov said access to the military-grade service was cut at speeds above 100 mph (160 km/h), forcing Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps in the southeast to cancel some operations.
A corps representative said connections could already drop for 10–20 seconds when drones were travelling at 110–120 km/h. Although the aircraft continued flying, the interruptions made them harder to control. A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said the restriction significantly complicated drone operations and logistics.
Ukraine has relied on Starlink for ground communications and as an alternative to radio control since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Its resistance to electronic jamming has made it especially important for long-range attack drones and large supply-carrying hexacopters. The disruption coincided with Russian strikes, including a ballistic-missile attack on a Kyiv power plant. Beskrestnov suggested the change was politically motivated, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office confirmed that the military had lost full access. SpaceX’s response was not included in the report. Zelenskyy said in August that Kyiv was exploring a Starlink alternative with a European country.
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