'Not random': Zelenskyy flags 'systematic disruptions' in Musk's Starshield
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again raised concerns over disruptions to Starshield, the military-grade satellite communication service developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX as part of its Starlink technology.He warned that fresh speed restrictions are affecting Kyiv's ability to intercept Russian jet-powered drones and allowing more attacks to get through.In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian military units had been facing significant disruptions to Starshield operations for several days across the entire frontline and in temporarily occupied territories.Citing briefings from defence minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, he said the service was being subjected to systematic speed restrictions, limiting its operation to 161 kmph.Zelenskyy said Ukrainian military investigations had established that the restrictions were not random technical errors but systematic measures.
He warned that the speed cap was complicating efforts to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, with some attacks already getting through because Ukrainian interception systems could not reach the required speeds in time."Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine," Zelenskyy said, adding that Kyiv was trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side.The issue was first reported in mid-October, when Ukrainian military units experienced disruptions to Starlink and Starshield connectivity while operating at speeds above 160 kmph.
The restrictions affected high-speed drones used for interception missions, long-range strikes and frontline logistics, raising concerns over Ukraine's dependence on SpaceX's satellite communication systems.However, on October 24, Ukraine's defence ministry confirmed that the restrictions had been lifted, with monitoring systems recording stable Starlink and Starshield connectivity at speeds exceeding 400 kmph.Defence minister Yevhenii Khmara said the restoration was crucial for frontline operations, drone missions, logistics and military communications.US President Donald Trump had claimed on October 22 that Elon Musk had restored Ukraine's access to Starshield after reports of restrictions on the satellite communication system.Asked whether he had personally contacted Musk to resolve the issue, Trump declined to confirm, saying, "I don't want to comment on it, you know, whether I called or whether somebody else called, doesn't make any difference."The latest disruption comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue, with US, Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluding two days of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 11.According to the Associated Press, the negotiations ended with an agreement in principle on a major prisoner exchange, but failed to produce a breakthrough on a broader peace settlement.
Territorial disputes and security guarantees for Ukraine remained key sticking points.US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Thursday to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcome of the negotiations. They are expected to travel to Dublin afterwards to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kyiv has welcomed the proposed prisoner exchange but has rejected demands to surrender territory occupied by Russia as part of any peace deal.You use AI every day.
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