Ukraine says Starlink problems are back, but doesn’t know why

Restrictions return on Starshield

Zelenskyy said the speed limit had returned to 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour. He reported the restriction on Starshield in Ukrainian territory, including areas under temporary occupation.

He said the limit makes it harder for drone interceptors to catch Russian jet-powered Shahed drones in time. Near the frontline, he said, aircraft cannot be used and drone interceptors are the only option.

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian officials were trying to get information from the American side, but had learned little. He also said strikes had already passed through because interception systems could not reach sufficient speed in time.

Earlier slowdown and drone links

The new report is the second time Kyiv has described a major service disruption. About three weeks earlier, Ukraine said it experienced a 10-day slowdown under a similar speed limit. Zelenskyy said the initial resumption of Starshield services in mid-October had brought little relief before the restrictions returned.

Ukrainian troops and civilians rely heavily on Starlink for communications. Kyiv’s forces say their medium-range strike drones and interceptors use terminals connected to Starshield, which is controlled by the US government. Most commercial Starlink terminals officially stop working at speeds above 100 miles per hour, so Ukrainian drones flying faster typically need Starshield to remain connected.

Officials cited possible US pressure

The suspected link has not been confirmed. SpaceX denied that any change had occurred, while Zelenskyy said Ukraine still knew very little about the restrictions’ cause.