Ukraine has once again had the operating speed of Starlink satellite communications restricted while on the move. As a result, there have been problems with communications with helicopters pursuing Russian Shahed attack drones, as well as with jet interceptors that shoot down drones of this type.
This was reported by Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an unpaid adviser to the President of Ukraine on the development of technological areas of defence .
“Starlink’s operating speed while on the move has been restricted again. We didn’t get to enjoy it for long,” Beskrestnov wrote.
The presidential adviser suggested that the US side may be explaining the new restrictions by the terms of Ukraine’s military tariff plan. At the same time, he stressed that for several years these terms did not interfere with the system’s operation.
“Flash” believes that the terms of Starlink’s use can be discussed and changed, rather than leaving Ukraine without the communications needed to defend its airspace.
What preceded this?
Previously, the Ukrainian military had already encountered a restriction on the speed of Starlink satellite communications from 400 to 160 km/h. This complicated the interception of Russian jet-powered drones and the conduct of operations at the front. At the time, the restriction was discovered without warning, and checks showed that it applied only on Ukrainian territory, while in EU countries the connection worked without such obstacles.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk said that the Ukrainian military were using the civilian network to kill Russians, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied it was being used for attacks on Russian territory.
The White House did not say who was responsible for the previous restrictions, and US President Donald Trump said he had not given such an instruction. The US Senate plans to investigate the incident.
On 11 November, President Zelenskyy reported that for several days Ukrainian troops have again been recording significant disruptions in the operation of the Starshield system over Ukrainian territory. They are occurring along the entire front line and in occupied territory.