Ukraine says Starlink bandwidth limits hinder frontline drone operations
President Wolodymyr Selenskyj reported that Starlink service over Ukraine is still being throttled, preventing drones from receiving supplies and targeting fast-moving threats.
Ukraine's president, Wolodymyr Selenskyj, announced that the military-critical Starlink satellite internet is still operating under severe speed restrictions, disrupting drone communications essential for supplying troops and countering high-speed Russian Shahed drones. SpaceX satellites now ignore any aircraft traveling above 161 km/h, a threshold that blocks both supply drones and Ukrainian interceptors. Selenskyj described the issue as a planned operation against Ukraine, noting that tests in EU countries allowed vehicles traveling at 180 km/h to maintain connectivity.
He said he has reached out to SpaceX, its Starshield service and defense ministries, but no reply has been received, while officials elsewhere claim the service is functioning without limits. The throttling comes amid ongoing conflict and recent diplomatic moves by the United States under President Donald Trump.
Why it matters
Reduced Starlink bandwidth hampers Ukraine's ability to supply troops and defend against fast Russian drones.
How this story developed
- Oct 14 SpaceX throttles Starlink in Ukraine, hampering drone strike operations
- Oct 14 SpaceX introduced a speed‑based limitation on Starlink terminals when they are moving.
- Oct 15 Speed limit was partially removed, allowing terminals to operate at speeds up to 160 km/h.
- Oct 15 Starshield service restored to normal operation after earlier speed caps.
- Oct 15 Ukrainian defence units say Starshield terminals used for high-speed movement are back online and their performance is gradually improving.
- Oct 15 Ukrainian defence sources said communications were restored but did not confirm that all terminals are fully operational.
- Oct 16 US-imposed speed limits on Starshield reduced bandwidth for Ukrainian frontline units.
- Oct 17 Starlink service was restored following talks between the UK and US defence secretaries.
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